Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Allied Peoples Movement, citing unresolved internal crises within his former party.
Mohammed announced his defection on Saturday after a meeting with political stakeholders convened to review the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the PDP leadership tussle and chart a way forward.
The governor disclosed that he had spent several days in Abuja consulting with key figures in a bid to resolve the party’s internal challenges but noted that the apex court’s ruling, which nullified parallel conventions held by rival factions, had further complicated the situation.
According to him, the judgment effectively stripped both factions of legitimacy, leaving the party’s Board of Trustees to temporarily oversee its affairs, a development he said had deepened uncertainty within the PDP.
“After wide consultations, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not achieved the desired outcome,” he said.
While appreciating the PDP for providing him a platform for political growth, Mohammed said the decision to leave was driven by the need to ensure continuity in governance and provide a stable political platform for his supporters.
He described the APM as a viable alternative free from legal encumbrances and capable of delivering electoral success.
“We remain PDP at heart, but we are leaving out of necessity to continue the pursuit of good governance,” the governor added.
Mohammed also disclosed that members of the State Executive Council seeking elective positions had resigned in compliance with legal requirements.
He outlined steps to facilitate a smooth transition, including the establishment of a compliance committee, commencement of membership registration, and engagement with relevant electoral authorities.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, formally received the governor and his loyalists into the party.
Dantalle described the APM as a disciplined and democratic platform, assuring the new entrants of stability and adherence to its constitution.
He commended Mohammed’s leadership, noting that his defection would strengthen the party’s structure and expand its political reach.
The chairman also presented the governor with his membership card and party insignia, marking his official entry into the party.
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