Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, and his supporters are set to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday.
The governor hinted at the defection on Tuesday while hosting some ADC leaders, including Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) at the government house in Bauchi.
The development comes amid a lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since November 15 and 16, 2025, when a faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki held a convention in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
“We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked,” Mohammed said.
“We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the All Progressives Congress, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
According to the governor, the ADC appears to be the acceptable platform for him, noting that he has not concluded discussions.
He said David Mark, national chairman of the ADC, had extended an invitation to him and his supporters to join the party after extensive consultations.
“I’m here this morning with a delegation from the ADC headquarters, where my mentor, my boss, Senator David Mark, is leading, and he has sent an olive branch to reconnect me with the umbilical cord of the opposition, where I have always emerged from,” Mohammed said.
“Certainly, as a leader in the PDP, we have found ourselves in a very serious ambivalence, where our party is headless. Of course, I have pursued all avenues for reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“Our people are putting me under extreme pressure, and we have set up two committees – one in Abuja at the national level, because of my position as a leader of the party, and one here to look at where to go.
“We left all our options open, including the APC itself, but certainly we have discovered that we cannot be where we are not wanted. We have to find a place within the opposition.
“That is where our fate and political destiny is taking us. And the ADC appears to be a very enduring and more acceptable platform among the people who are engaging with me so far.”
The governor said consultations are ongoing, noting that a final decision would be communicated by Thursday, noting that inclusivity remains key to whatever direction is taken.
“We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we will be on the same page and not exclude ourselves from participation,” he added.
“And so, you will hear a firm commitment from us by Thursday, when we would have met in Abuja. That was why I said I have to carry everybody along.”
He added that as a leader with responsibilities at both the state and national levels, due diligence must be followed before any political realignment is finalised.
He said engagements are ongoing with stakeholders across the PDP at both levels to ensure a smooth transition and avoid missteps.
“For now, I would say this is our preferred destination, but we have not concluded in a way that allows us to deepen stakeholder engagement and collaboration so that we do not make mistakes. That is where we are,” Mohammed said.
The governor expressed appreciation for the outreach by the ADC, describing it as timely given the PDP internal challenges.
He emphasised that political strength ultimately lies with the electorate and not party structures alone.
“We believe in winning elections, and elections are contested and won at the polling unit. We are not afraid of anyone,” he said.
“We have done all we can in terms of self-preservation, political accommodation, and participation, but it is not working.
“Therefore, we must now confront the challenges of this existential option being presented to us by the ADC.”
(TheCable)