The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, is expected to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday following a series of high-level political negotiations.
THISDAY reported that the governor’s move was finalised after recent meetings with Bola Tinubu and leaders of the APC.
The discussions reportedly focused on political arrangements that would enable Mohammed to formally join the ruling party.
According to party insiders, the APC has agreed to a 60/40 power-sharing formula with Mohammed’s political camp in Bauchi State as part of the deal.
The agreement is also said to include a ticket for the Senate, although details about the specific senatorial district involved have not been disclosed.
However, one major issue reportedly still under discussion is Mohammed’s request to nominate his successor as governor when he leaves office.
Sources said President Tinubu insisted that the structure of the APC in Bauchi State should remain under the control of the party leadership rather than any individual.
The position, according to insiders, reflects the political sensitivity of Bauchi, where several influential figures are reportedly interested in contesting the governorship.
Among those said to be eyeing the position are Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Ali Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and oil and gas professional Bala Wunti.
Despite the unresolved disagreement over succession, Mohammed is expected to formally join the APC at a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, which will be attended by key party figures.
If the defection goes ahead as planned, the number of governors aligned with the ruling APC would reportedly rise to 32, leaving opposition parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord Party with just one governor each.
The development comes as the PDP continues to face internal tensions between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other party leaders.
Ahead of reconciliation talks within the party, the Wike-aligned faction has outlined two non-negotiable conditions for negotiations. The group insists that the March 29 national convention must proceed as scheduled and that no new caretaker committee should be created.
Spokesman for the caretaker committee loyal to Wike, Haruna Mohammed, said each faction involved in the reconciliation process was expected to present written conditions during the talks.
Meanwhile, PDP chieftain Sule Lamido has urged party members to close ranks and work toward rebuilding the party amid the ongoing leadership crisis.
Lamido warned that continued divisions could weaken the PDP’s role as a major opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
