The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has left the Peoples Democratic Party to join the Allied Peoples Movement.
Mohammed made his defection public on Saturday after a meeting with political stakeholders convened to review the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the PDP leadership crisis and chart a path forward.
Speaking after the gathering, the governor said he had spent the last eight days in Abuja consulting widely with key actors in a bid to address the party’s internal disputes.
He explained, however, that the apex court’s decision, which invalidated parallel conventions organised by rival factions within the PDP, had significantly reshaped the political terrain.
According to him, the ruling effectively removed legal recognition from both factions, leaving the party’s Board of Trustees to temporarily manage its affairs.
He added that subsequent events had only heightened uncertainty within the party.
“After careful consideration and wide consultations with leaders and stakeholders across the country, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not yielded the desired results,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude to the PDP for offering him a platform for political advancement and service but emphasised the need to move forward in the interest of governance and stability.
“However, as responsible leaders, we cannot allow our people to be left without a credible and effective political platform,” he stated.
Mohammed said his decision to align with the APM was a calculated move to ensure political continuity and electoral viability.
He described the party as a dependable platform without legal complications.
He also revealed that members of the State Executive Council seeking elective positions had stepped down in accordance with the law.
While appreciating the PDP for its role in his political journey, he said the decision to leave was driven by necessity.
“We remain PDP at heart. We are leaving not out of bitterness, but out of necessity—to continue the struggle for good governance,” the governor said.
Declaring his new political platform, Mohammed said, “Consequently, after extensive consultations, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement.”
To guarantee a seamless transition, the governor outlined steps including setting up a compliance committee, initiating online membership registration, formal resignation of interested members, engagement with APM leadership, and the formation of a committee to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He urged his supporters to stay calm and united, stressing that the move was not driven by uncertainty but a deliberate repositioning.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, officially welcomed the governor and his supporters into the party.
Dantalle described the APM as a “clean, democratic party” guided by the motto “Nigeria First,” with values rooted in integrity, sacrifice, and service.
He praised Mohammed’s leadership approach, describing Bauchi as a state where democratic ideals flourish and political participation remains inclusive.
The APM chairman also pointed to the party’s performance in recent local government elections, noting that it secured councillorship seats and remained competitive with other parties.
He assured the defectors that the party has no internal crisis, emphasising that it operates strictly in line with its constitution.
Dantalle then presented the governor with his membership card and party insignia, marking his formal admission into the party.
He added that the party’s emblem, the cassava plant, symbolises resilience, inclusiveness, and economic value, reflecting its vision for national development.
