Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has announced that he will formally exit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, April 2, 2026, along with his supporters across the state and the country.
The governor made the declaration during a press briefing at the Ramat House Presidential Lodge, Government House, following a private meeting with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Governor Bala Mohammed said the move is a strategic decision after exhausting all efforts at reconciliation within the PDP.
“We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we can be on the same page and not exclude ourselves from participation. You will hear a firm commitment from us after we meet in Abuja with all the parties,” he stated.
ALSO READ:‘We’ll remain in PDP and win’, Makinde clears air on defection rumours
On attempts to reconcile within the PDP, Bala Mohammed revealed that he had engaged extensively with party leaders, including meetings with the APC leadership and even visiting President Bola Tinubu three times to mediate. He also met directly with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he described as having “already conquered” the PDP.
“I swallowed my ego and met him, but he told me he had already taken hold of the PDP,” Bala Mohammed said, describing his efforts as unsuccessful.
He added that the PDP’s convention had proceeded despite legal challenges, leaving him and his supporters with limited options:
“We are not novices, we are law-abiding, and we believe in the rule of law. That’s why we have to find space for our people,” he said.
On the choice of the ADC as a preferred political platform, the governor explained that it was a strategic move to align with opposition parties:
“ADC because it’s the opposition. APC is not an option because we were not approached, though we remain open. But most of our people prefer ADC or other opposition parties,” he said.
Bala Mohammed clarified that no conditions had been set for the move, framing it as a pragmatic decision to protect his political future:
“When you are drowning and somebody offers a hand, you don’t have so much to say, but you have to protect yourself,” he added.
Reacting to Wike’s previous warning to “put fire in Bauchi,” the governor responded with confidence:
“Yes, he has put the fire, but we have extinguished it. There is no fire here. If you are not liked in one place, you will be liked elsewhere,” he said.
Bala Mohammed concluded by emphasizing the need to secure a political platform for the 2027 elections:
“We fought hard within the party, but now we must take the next step and find a safe landing for everyone. I wanted the party to be used in 2027, and since I have people who believe in me, I must ensure their future,” he stated.