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Following weeks of consultation, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has finally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The defection, announced by the governor at the Government House on Saturday, followed weeks of speculation over his political future amid the crisis that rocked the PDP.
Mohammed had earlier described the party as “headless” and signalled openness to alternative political platforms, a move analysts say could weaken the PDP by triggering an exodus of loyalists and reducing its grassroots support.
Earlier, reacting to the recent Supreme Court judgement on the PDP leadership dispute, the governor said the ruling prevented any faction from taking full control of the party.
He noted that neither his camp led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) nor the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, recorded outright victory.
Read Also: 2027: Muhammadu Buhari’s Son Gets APC Ticket For Reps Race
“We have succeeded in ensuring that no single individual hijacks the party,” he said.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Mohammed added, “As democrats who respect the rule of law, we accept the judgement. But it is not a victory for anyone.”
He stated that the party’s Board of Trustees would temporarily oversee its affairs in line with its constitution pending the formation of a caretaker committee.
The governor also accused Wike of working against the PDP, alleging that the FCT minister and his associates have ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mohammed said his decision to leave the PDP was aimed at securing a stable platform for his supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our hearts remain with the PDP, but politically we must move forward,” he said.
He also confirmed his intention to contest the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat in 2027, noting that consultations with alternative political parties preceded his decision to join the APM.
Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has picked the All Progressives Congress, APC, ticket to contest for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yusuf picked the ticket unopposed after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Katsina on Tuesday, April 28, where he was unanimously adopted as the party’s candidate.
The consensus agreement was announced by the Chairman of the Consensus Committee for Daura Zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, a former Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Speaking after Yusuf’s adoption, Mannir Musa, APC Chairman of Mai’adua Local Government, urged party members to accept the outcome in good faith.
“I urge all our people to be obedient and accept the consensus reached by the committee and stakeholders in good faith. We should all work together for the unity and progress of the party and our people,” he said.
He also appealed to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda to support aspirants who did not get tickets so they could continue to serve their people.
Musa urged aspirants offered tickets through consensus to work for their constituents when elected in the general election.
He named other automatic candidates to include Nasir Yahaya for the Daura senatorial seat race and Mustapha Musa for the Mai’adua constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.
Yusuf Buhari, in his remarks, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide quality representation if elected.
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday prayed the “roar of bombs” in the Middle East will cease, as the war triggered by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran extended into its ninth day.
News from the region “continues to arouse deep dismay”, the US-born pope said at the end of the Angelus prayer.
“Added to the episodes of violence and devastation and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, is the fear that the conflict will spread, and that other countries in the region, including beloved Lebanon, may once again sink into instability,” he said.
On Sunday, Iran was preparing to reveal its new supreme leader, after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed fuel dumps and triggered fires that choked much of Tehran in a thick blanket of smoke.
