The planned defection of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has collapsed following disagreements over a proposed power-sharing formula.
Consultations between the governor, his Turaki-led PDP faction, and the APC leadership ended in a deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a 60–40 arrangement for control of party structure in Bauchi State.
Despite the setback, Mohammed and his supporters have signalled openness to aligning with other political parties, noting that fresh options for possible defection—from ward to state level—are being considered.
Addressing journalists on Saturday, Sama’ila Burga, chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in the state, said the APC was unwilling to accommodate the PDP structure and the state government.
Burga disclosed that the APC initiated talks through the governor, involving its national leadership and Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi in a bid to persuade Mohammed to join the party.
He said discussions stalled after the APC declined the 60–40 sharing formula, which he noted had been used in similar defections elsewhere.
“This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion. You cannot expect a government bringing its structure from ward level to the state not to have control of the party,” Burga said.
He added that the press briefing was held at the instance of the governor, who led the consultations.
Burga said that after extensive engagement with stakeholders, the PDP faction resolved to discontinue the talks.
“After careful consideration, it became clear that the conditions collectively advanced for such a political realignment were not accepted by the APC leadership. In light of this, we want to announce that the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued,” he said.
He added that the party is now exploring alternative political platforms.
“While we appreciate the outreach and engagement by the APC, we wish to state unequivocally that the process has now been brought to a close. Consequently, the PDP in Bauchi State, in consultation with His Excellency and other critical stakeholders, is actively considering all available political options other than the APC to determine the most suitable path forward,” Burga said.
Bala had on April 9 met House of Representatives from the state, as consultations intensify over his possible defection.
The meeting, held at his Abuja residence, came amid indications that the governor may leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking after the closed-door session, lawmaker Dabo Ismail, who represents Toro federal constituency, said the gathering was part of ongoing consultations on political realignments in Bauchi and across Nigeria.
“We are here on a special invitation to discuss the ongoing political realignment in Nigeria, particularly in Bauchi state,” he said, adding that discussions had yielded “positive conclusions.”
