“I met President Tinubu three times to help with PDP’s reconciliation because Wike was used to destroy us,” said Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, as he navigates a complex political landscape.
His statement comes amid increasing pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which are attempting to persuade him to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The APC has even sent its National Chairman and governors to Bauchi for discussions, indicating the urgency of the situation.
In a recent meeting that lasted about one hour, the APC leaders sought to convince Mohammed to remain with the PDP, where he is one of the last two standing governors alongside Seyi Makinde. However, the outcome of that meeting remains undisclosed.
Mohammed’s relationship with fellow PDP member Nyesom Wike has soured significantly. Wike has been accused by Mohammed of being a “plant” aimed at undermining the PDP, a claim that Wike has dismissed as baseless and embarrassing. Wike stated, “It’s very embarrassing. He tells you one thing today, he says one thing in the morning, in the afternoon he says a different thing.”
As tensions rise, Mohammed has indicated plans to defect to the ADC, asserting that it has the potential to unseat the APC. This move could significantly alter the political dynamics in Bauchi State and beyond.
Wike has also criticized Mohammed for his demands regarding the position of National Secretary for his faction within the PDP, further complicating their relationship.
Meanwhile, Mohammed remains focused on the timeline for his decision, stating, “We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we can move forward together.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding his final decision on defection, but the political maneuvering continues to unfold as various factions vie for influence.
As the situation develops, the implications of Mohammed’s choices will be closely watched by political analysts and party members alike.