JUST IN: Bauchi Governor Hints at Defection to ADC, Sets Declaration Date

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has signalled a possible exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pointing to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as his likely new political home.

The governor said a final decision would be made soon, with a formal announcement expected within days.

Mohammed made this known on Tuesday in Bauchi while receiving a delegation of the ADC at the Government House.

The team was led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. The meeting, which held behind closed doors, comes amid growing uncertainty within the PDP.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the governor blamed his planned move on the deepening crisis rocking his current party. He said repeated efforts to resolve internal disagreements had failed, despite several interventions.

He said, “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked. We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the All Progressives Congress, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”

The governor explained that consultations were still ongoing across different political platforms.

However, he admitted that the ADC had so far shown the most willingness to receive him and his supporters.

“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he added.

Mohammed further revealed that the process would be concluded soon. He hinted that Thursday had been set as a timeline for a final decision, stressing that clarity would be provided to the public.

“We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we can move forward together. You will hear a firm commitment from us,” he said.

The governor also pointed fingers at forces both within and outside the PDP for worsening the crisis. He accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of playing a role in deepening the divisions within the party.

He disclosed that he had held meetings with several key political figures, including leaders of the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu, in a bid to find common ground. According to him, those engagements did not produce the desired outcome.

Earlier, Babachir Lawal said the ADC delegation was in Bauchi on the directive of the party’s national leadership. He noted that the move was part of wider consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lawal said the party, under the guidance of former Senate President David Mark, was working to build a strong opposition front capable of challenging the current political order.

According to him, “The task of rescuing Nigeria in 2027 requires the unity of all well-meaning Nigerians. We are here to engage Governor Bala Mohammed because of his leadership qualities and political experience.”

He expressed confidence that the discussions would end positively. He added that the ADC was open and ready to accommodate the governor and his political structure.

Lawal also noted that the party was gaining ground across several states, positioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of the next general elections.