Bala Mohammed set to dump PDP for APC after Sallah – Source 

Bala Mohammed, the Bauchi State Governor, is set to announce his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) immediately after the Ramadan fast, Sources in the PDP have revealed.

According to an insider who spoke in confidence with our Correspondent, there are internal signals within the party about Mohammed’s defection. The source said that there is more pressure now than before.

One of the sources revealed that the defection plan is underway and that consultation is still ongoing to ensure all critical stakeholders are fully consulted and carried along.

“He told us that he won’t go to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and he was not ready to reconcile with the former minister, Nyesom Wike, in the fragmented PDP,” an insider said.

“Definitely, He is going to the APC. He has not told us when he will announce his decision, but I know it will be at Salathe’s celebration.”

Mohammed had on several occasions publicly stated he would not be coerced into joining APC, saying the party has destroyed the country’s economy. During his last visit to the President, Mohammed told the press that he did not discuss his defection with him.

The Governor who is planning to have his successor from his camp is under pressure to move from due to the crisis within the party.

If Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP governors’ forum finally defects, he would leave the North East in the hands of APC.

Mohammed, a presidential aspirant during the 2023 election may be considering a senatorial seat in 2027. The Governor may be having an upheaval in getting victory. His predecessors, Ahmodu Muazu, Isa Yuguda sought the seat but failed to win after their tenures as governors.

Mohammed’s Special Adviser on Media Mukhtar Gidado did not comment on the inquiry when contacted at the time of filing this report.

Also, a cabinet member also confirmed that “there is an ongoing discussion at the top. We are waiting for their conclusion. But as far as we are concerned, wherever the Governor moves to, we are going with him. He is our political party.”

Governors already in APC

When Bala’s defection happens, the APC will controls 32 of the 36 states. The governors in the APC’s fold are, Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Usman Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Umaru Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).

Others are Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

Following the latest development, the PDP is left with only one governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo), who is in his second term. The Tanimu Turakii led faction of the party is loyal to him.

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) has just one governor, Alex Otti (Abia), who is serving his first term.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also has a single governor, Charles Soludo (Anambra).

The Accord equally controls one state through Ademola Adeleke (Osun), who is seeking re-election in the August 2026 governorship poll on the platform of the party.