Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has called off plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after negotiations over a proposed power-sharing arrangement collapsed.
Sama’ila Burga, Chairman of the Turaki-led faction of the PDP in the state, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists in Bauchi. According to Burga, talks between the governor, his faction, and the APC leadership ended in deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a proposed 60/40 formula for the control of party structures in the state.
Burga said the APC had shown unwillingness to accommodate both the PDP’s existing structure and the state government under the proposed terms. He noted that the discussions, initiated by the APC through the governor, involved the party’s national leadership and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi to persuade Mohammed to join the APC.
The governor’s faction insisted on a formula similar to those adopted in previous defections in other states, but the APC’s refusal to accept it led to the breakdown of negotiations. “This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion,” Burga said.
He added that the governor and his supporters remain open to exploring alignments with other political parties, with plans underway to consider fresh options for possible defection from the ward to the state level.
The development marks a significant political shift in Bauchi State, where the balance of power between the ruling party and opposition remains fluid. Governor Mohammed’s next political move is now being closely watched as stakeholders assess the implications for the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
