Bauchi APC Caucus Rejects Governor Bala Mohammed’s Defection to Party

The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in Bauchi State has openly rejected any move to admit Governor Bala Mohammed into the party.

Politics Nigeria reports that the position was made clear after a high-level meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday night, where party leaders reviewed recent political developments involving the governor.

The decision comes amid growing speculation about Mohammed’s next political step following reports that he had earlier indicated plans to leave PDP.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the governor had, on March 31, 2026, disclosed intentions to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

However, this plan appears to have triggered fresh efforts from key APC figures who sought to bring him into their fold instead.

This followed a recent visit by top APC leaders, including the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, to the Bauchi Government House.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, and no official statement was issued afterward. Still, insiders suggest the visit was aimed at convincing Mohammed to abandon his reported move to the ADC and consider joining the APC.

Despite these efforts, the Bauchi APC caucus has taken a firm stand against the idea.

Speaking after the meeting, the senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and chairman of the caucus, Sama’ila Dahuwa, said the decision to reject the governor was unanimous. He stated that members carefully reviewed the situation before arriving at their conclusion.

According to him, the caucus “unequivocally rejects” any attempt to admit Mohammed into the party at this time.

Dahuwa explained that the decision was influenced by the governor’s past public statements, which he said were often critical of President Bola Tinubu and the APC as a whole. He noted that such remarks had raised concerns about loyalty, trust, and the long-term unity of the party.

He added that Mohammed had not made any effort to withdraw those statements or reconcile with party members. There has also been no public apology or move to rebuild trust with the APC leadership in the state.

“In view of the foregoing, the caucus firmly holds that his admission into the APC at this time will be detrimental to the party’s cohesion, credibility, and electoral prospects in Bauchi State,” Dahuwa stated.

The caucus stressed that it would resist any move that could weaken the party’s structure or affect its chances in future elections. Members insisted that the stability of the APC in Bauchi must not be compromised for political convenience.

They also raised concerns about the process leading to the talks, pointing out that key stakeholders in the state were not consulted before discussions about Mohammed’s possible entry began. The caucus described this as a violation of internal party principles and warned against sidelining established structures.

As part of its next step, the caucus said it would formally communicate its position to the national leadership of the APC. It also called for strict adherence to due process in handling matters of such political importance.

Meanwhile, fresh indications suggest that Governor Mohammed may be reconsidering his earlier plan to defect to the ADC. Following his meeting with APC leaders, he is said to have slowed down on the move and begun wider consultations.

The governor has reportedly been engaging loyalists and key stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State. These consultations are believed to be aimed at reviewing his political options amid the shifting landscape.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 4, 2026, the PDP in the state set up an exit committee to assess its future direction. The development has further fueled speculation about possible realignments within the state.

The Bauchi PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga, confirmed the formation of the committee. He said it was created to examine available options and guide the party through the current uncertainty.

According to him, the committee is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, and includes members from the National Assembly, State Assembly, commissioners, party executives, and local government chairmen.

Burga noted that the committee would carry out wide consultations before submitting its report. A final decision on the party’s next move is expected after another stakeholders’ meeting.