Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demonstrated superior strength to a coalition of opposition parties in the recent council elections in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Governor Mohammed made the statement following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday. He contended that despite internal challenges and defections, the PDP remains the largest organized opposition force in the country.
According to the governor, the party’s performance in the FCT polls—where it won one council chairmanship seat and approximately sixteen councilor positions—validates its enduring structure. “Our outing in FCT… shows that we are moving,” he said, noting that the party maintains a “brand that has survived over two decades” with a presence in every ward.
The governor’s remarks directly contrast with the results of the main opposition coalition. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which houses the group of opposition leaders, failed to win any council seat in the FCT election, underscoring the PDP’s claim of relative strength.
Governor Mohammed acknowledged the PDP’s historical struggles, including litigations and a leadership crisis, but emphasized the party’s survival and continued relevance after more than 20 years. He expressed confidence in the party’s ability to compete, stating his focus is on solidifying its position in Bauchi State ahead of future elections.
The FCT council results serve as a recent barometer for opposition viability. The PDP’s limited wins, while modest, were framed by the governor as evidence of organizational resilience compared to a fragmented opposition coalition that secured zero representation in the territory. This narrative positions the PDP as the principal alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite its internal dynamics.
The governor’s public assessment following his meeting with the president highlights the PDP’s strategy of projecting unity and operational capacity as it prepares for subsequent electoral contests. The party’s performance in the FCT, though not a landslide, is being leveraged to argue for its continued centrality in Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
