Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) alongside loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the fallout from the Supreme Court ruling on the party’s leadership crisis.
Decision follows stakeholder consultations
The governor announced the move on Saturday after a meeting with political stakeholders to review the implications of the court judgment and chart a new course.
He said he had spent eight days in Abuja consulting widely with party leaders in an attempt to resolve the PDP’s internal crisis.
Supreme Court ruling shifts ground
According to Mohammed, the apex court’s decision nullifying parallel conventions conducted by rival factions significantly altered the party’s structure.
He noted that the ruling left both factions without legal backing, with the PDP Board of Trustees now overseeing affairs temporarily.
He added that subsequent developments only deepened uncertainty within the party.
‘We cannot leave our people stranded’
“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.
While thanking the PDP for his political journey, the governor stressed the need to move forward.
“However, as responsible leaders, we cannot allow our people to be left without a credible and effective political platform,” he added.
APM chosen as new political platform
Mohammed described the APM as a stable alternative without legal complications, saying the decision was strategic for political continuity.
“Consequently, after extensive consultations, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement,” he declared.
He maintained that the move was not driven by bitterness but necessity.
“We remain PDP at heart. We are leaving not out of bitterness, but out of necessity,” he said.
Transition plan already underway
The governor outlined steps to ensure a smooth transition, including setting up a compliance committee, launching membership registration, and engaging with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also disclosed that members of the State Executive Council seeking elective positions had resigned in line with legal requirements.
APM welcomes new entrants
National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, formally received Mohammed and his supporters into the party.
He described the APM as a disciplined and democratic platform, assuring the new members of stability and internal cohesion.
Dantalle presented the governor with a membership card and party insignia, marking his official entry into the party.