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By Gloria Ikibah

Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)and joined the Allied Peoples Movement, marking a significant political shift after weeks of behind-the-scenes consultations.

The move follows growing uncertainty within the PDP, sparked by a recent Supreme Court ruling on the party’s protracted leadership dispute. The governor’s decision came after a meeting with key political figures, where attention was centred on the implications of the judgment and the direction of his political future.

In the days leading up to the announcement, Mohammed had been in Abuja engaging with prominent stakeholders in an effort to steady the party. However, the combination of internal divisions and legal complications appears to have reshaped the landscape.

The court’s decision, which invalidated parallel conventions organised by opposing factions and sent the matter back to a lower court, has left the PDP grappling with both structural and legal uncertainty, prompting the governor’s departure.

“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.

The Bauchi governor emphasised that his decision was not driven by sentiment but by political necessity, adding that governance and electoral readiness required a more stable platform.

He portrayed the Allied Peoples Movement as a credible and legally stable platform, suggesting that the switch was intended to secure continuity in governance while maintaining political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor also disclosed that members of his State Executive Council seeking elective office had stepped down in line with electoral guidelines. While acknowledging the role the Peoples Democratic Party had played in his political journey, he indicated that the decision to leave was taken with his supporters and the wider political climate in mind.

“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.

Mohammed went on to unveil transition committees tasked with overseeing the defection process, including the registration of new members into the APM, engagement with party leadership and coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission. He appealed to his supporters to stay calm and united, describing the move as a strategic repositioning rather than a reaction to crisis.

In welcoming the governor, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle characterised the development as a significant gain for the party, commending Mohammed’s leadership record and democratic credentials.

Dantalle emphasised that the party is built on principles of integrity and national development, noting that it remains free of internal disputes and open to new members.

He subsequently handed over the governor’s membership card and party insignia, formalising his entry into the APM. The development is expected to influence political alignments as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace.

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A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, has entered the party’s presidential contest after purchasing its nomination form, vowing to reposition the PDP and return it to national leadership.

Onor, who served as the senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023, spoke shortly after obtaining the form at the PDP National Secretariat on Saturday, saying his decision was driven by appeals from party stakeholders and supporters nationwide, expressing confidence that the PDP remains Nigeria’s most viable platform for democratic governance.

Describing the PDP as a “legacy institution,” he said the party had played a defining role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.

“This is a party that has showcased the beauty of democracy, demonstrated resilience and given Nigeria direction and prosperity,” he said. “It remains a people-centred platform with the capacity to deliver national renewal.”
He acknowledged the party’s recent internal challenges but insisted it had emerged stronger and more united.

“We have overcome our worst anxieties and weathered the storm. If given the mandate, we will consolidate on these gains and lead the party to greater heights,” Onor added.

The aspirant also highlighted the PDP’s record of democratic conduct, noting its history of conceding electoral defeat in the national interest.

“If you have seen the PDP in its days of glory, then you should be confident that it is poised to surpass those achievements and lead Nigeria into a new phase of growth,” he said.

In his response, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, welcomed Onor’s aspiration and assured him of the party’s support within the framework of a transparent process.

“We recognise your intention and vision. The party will provide the necessary guidance as the process unfolds,” he said, reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy ahead of the presidential primaries.

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Ex-Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is set to defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) next week, according to the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The development marks a significant shift in the opposition political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Spokesman of the movement, Habibu Mohammed, said the decision followed unanimous endorsement by stakeholders.

He disclosed that representatives from all 44 local government areas in Kano met at Kwankwaso’s residence and agreed on the move.

“The stakeholders have unanimously given him the go-ahead to move to the NDC,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed added that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, is also expected to join the NDC alongside Kwankwaso.

“I believe him, Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” he said.

He noted that discussions with the NDC were about 90 per cent complete, with only minor issues left to be resolved.

The spokesperson said the decision was influenced largely by the lingering leadership crisis within the ADC.

He pointed to the recent Supreme Court ruling, which returned the dispute to the Federal High Court, as a source of continued uncertainty.

“It does not look feasible to stay there… the entire caucus voted unanimously that a better platform, not embedded in a leadership tussle, should be used,” he told The Cable.

Mohammed also cited ongoing court cases and approaching deadlines for submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as factors behind the decision.

He warned that remaining in the ADC could jeopardise the movement’s political plans.

According to him, the movement considered both the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the NDC before settling for the latter.

He added that internal disagreements within the ADC, including issues around consensus candidacy, also influenced the move.

The report noted that Obi has not attended ADC meetings since the opposition summit in Ibadan.

He was said to be dissatisfied with the failure to address zoning of the presidential ticket, which he considers key to fairness and unity.