Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has confirmed his intention to contest the Bauchi South senatorial seat ahead of the next elections.
The governor also disclosed that he is in discussions with key opposition figures as he weighs a possible exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the party’s internal crisis.
According to him, a final decision on his political future will be announced within a week after consultations with stakeholders and other political platforms. The uncertainty in the PDP comes after the Supreme Court of Nigeria nullified the party’s Ibadan national convention, a ruling that has deepened divisions within its ranks.
Mohammed revealed that a delegation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by Babachir Lawal, had approached him to join the party—an option he reportedly views favourably.
He also confirmed holding talks with leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including Bola Tinubu, though those discussions broke down over disagreements on party structure control.
Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment, Mohammed said his camp accepted the decision in good faith, noting that while it invalidated the Ibadan convention, it also affected the opposing faction’s leadership.
“As democrats, we accept the ruling as the will of Allah. It is neither a total defeat nor a complete victory. While our convention was nullified, their leadership was also set aside,” he said.
He added that the PDP’s Board of Trustees would temporarily oversee party affairs until an interim leadership is established in line with its constitution.
The governor, however, blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for worsening the party’s internal crisis, alleging that his actions undermined the PDP from within.
“We are in a difficult situation. Wike and many of his associates are aligned with the APC. His role in the PDP was to weaken it, and to some extent, that has happened,” Mohammed stated.
He said consultations are ongoing to secure a stable political platform for his supporters ahead of the elections.
On his personal ambition, Mohammed ruled out contesting for president, citing the party’s zoning arrangement in favour of the South.
“I will not run for president. The position has been zoned to the South in the interest of fairness. However, I will contest for the Bauchi South senatorial seat to continue serving my people,” he said.
The governor further confirmed ongoing discussions with opposition leaders, including Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, as part of efforts to explore a broader political alliance.
“We are talking with Kwankwaso and Obi. There are calls for opposition unity, but achieving that is complex due to varying political realities across regions,” he added.