Bauchi Governor Dumps PDP for APM Amid Party Crisis
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his move to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing unresolved internal crises within his former party.
The governor made the disclosure on Saturday after a meeting with political stakeholders, convened to assess the fallout of the Supreme Court ruling on the PDP’s leadership dispute and chart a path forward. Mohammed said he had spent over a week in Abuja holding consultations with key figures in a bid to stabilise the party, but acknowledged that recent developments had complicated those efforts.
He pointed to the apex court’s judgment, which voided parallel conventions conducted by rival factions of the PDP, as a turning point. According to him, the ruling effectively invalidated both factions and placed the party’s Board of Trustees in temporary control, further deepening uncertainty.
“Despite extensive consultations and efforts to find common ground, it is evident that the situation has not improved as expected,” the governor said. While expressing gratitude to the PDP for shaping his political career, Mohammed said the decision to leave was informed by the need to ensure continuity in governance and provide a stable political platform for his supporters. “As leaders, we must not leave our people without a viable and credible platform,” he stated.
He said his defection to the APM is a calculated step to reposition politically, noting that the party offers a stable structure without legal complications.
The governor also revealed that members of the State Executive Council with political ambitions had stepped down in compliance with relevant laws. Mohammed said the move was not driven by resentment but by necessity.
“We still hold the PDP in high regard, but this decision is about sustaining the pursuit of good governance,” he added.
He outlined steps to facilitate the transition, including setting up a compliance committee, launching membership registration, engaging with APM leadership, and establishing a team to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Mohammed urged his supporters to remain united, stressing that the decision was a strategic repositioning rather than a reaction to uncertainty. Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, formally welcomed the governor and his supporters into the party.
Dantalle said the APM is a transparent and democratic platform guided by principles of integrity and service. He also praised Mohammed’s leadership, noting that Bauchi State has remained a stronghold of democratic participation.
He assured the new entrants of the party’s stability, emphasising that it operates in line with its constitution and is free of internal disputes.
The APM chairman thereafter presented Mohammed with his membership card and party insignia, marking his official entry into the party. He noted that the party’s symbol, the cassava plant, reflects resilience, inclusiveness, and economic potential, aligning with its broader vision for national development.
