A major political shake-up is imminent in Nigeria’s political landscape as Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is set to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC on Tuesday.
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The planned defection follows high-level consultations between the governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside top leaders of the APC, sources close to the negotiations have disclosed.
According to insiders, Mohammed’s decision to switch parties was sealed after a series of strategic meetings in recent weeks, culminating in a political agreement that grants him a 60/40 power-sharing formula within the APC structure in Bauchi State, as well as a guaranteed senatorial ticket at the end of his tenure as governor.
However, a key sticking point in the negotiations remains unresolved — the governor’s demand to nominate his successor for the Bauchi governorship seat.
Sources familiar with the talks said President Tinubu has insisted that the APC structure in Bauchi should remain under the control of the party leadership rather than any single political figure, citing the state’s delicate political balance and the presence of several influential stakeholders.
Among those reportedly eyeing the governorship position are the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and oil and gas executive Bala Wunti.
Despite the unresolved dispute over succession, Mohammed is said to have concluded arrangements to formally join the APC on Tuesday at a high-profile ceremony expected to be attended by key leaders of the ruling party.
With his anticipated defection, the APC’s control of state governments is projected to rise to 32 governors, further shrinking the ranks of opposition parties, including the PDP, Labour Party Nigeria, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Accord Party Nigeria, which would each be left with only one governor.
