By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, says he and his supporters remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at heart following his defection from the PDP to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Mohammed stated this while announcing his defection on Saturday, May 2, following a meeting with political stakeholders convened to deliberate on the implications of the Supreme Court’s judgement on the PDP leadership crisis and to chart a way forward.
Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed said he had spent the past eight days in Abuja engaging key stakeholders in efforts to resolve the party’s internal challenges.
He noted, however, that the Supreme Court’s verdict, which nullified parallel conventions conducted by rival factions within the PDP, had significantly altered the political landscape.
The governor noted that the judgement effectively stripped both factions of legal standing, leaving the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to temporarily oversee its affairs.
“After careful consideration and wide consultations with leaders and stakeholders across the country, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not yielded the desired results,” he said.
Mohammed further appreciated the PDP for providing a platform for his political growth and service, but stressed the need to move on in the interest of governance and political stability.
He added that his decision to join the APM was aimed at ensuring political continuity and electoral success.
“However, as responsible leaders, we cannot allow our people to be left without a credible and effective political platform,” he stated.
The governor described the party as a viable platform free from legal encumbrances.
He also disclosed that members of the State Executive Council interested in contesting elective offices had resigned in line with the law.
While appreciating the PDP for its role in his political journey, he said the decision to leave was driven by necessity.
“We remain PDP at heart. We are leaving not out of bitterness, but out of necessity—to continue the struggle for good governance,” he said.
He added, “Consequently, after extensive consultations, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement.”
Mohammed further outlined measures to be adopted to ensure a smooth transition, including the establishment of a compliance committee, commencement of online membership registration, formal resignation of interested members, engagement with APM leadership, and the constitution of a committee to interface with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, formally received the governor and his supporters into the party.
Dantalle described the APM as a “clean, democratic party” guided by the motto “Nigeria First,” with principles anchored on integrity, sacrifice, and service.
He commended Mohammed’s leadership style, describing Bauchi as a state where democratic values thrive and political participation is inclusive.
The APM chairman also highlighted the party’s performance in recent local government elections, noting that it secured councillorship victories and remained competitive alongside other parties.
He assured the defectors that the party has no internal crisis, stressing that it operates strictly in accordance with its constitution.
Dantalle subsequently presented the governor with his membership card and party insignia, symbolising his formal admission into the party.
