The governor of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, and his supporters are expected to formally align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday.
The governor suggested the planned move on Tuesday while receiving ADC leaders, including former secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
The development follows an ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has persisted since November 2025 after a faction led by Kabiru Turaki conducted a separate convention in Ibadan.
Mohammed said, “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked.”
He explained that efforts were made through committees at both national and state levels to explore options, including possible alignment with the All Progressives Congress, but those moves were unsuccessful.
“We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the All Progressives Congress, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
According to the governor, the ADC currently appears to be the most suitable platform, although consultations are still ongoing.
He noted that the party’s national chairman, David Mark, had extended an invitation following wide consultations.
“I’m here this morning with a delegation from the ADC headquarters, where my mentor, my boss, Senator David Mark, is leading, and he has sent an olive branch to reconnect me with the umbilical cord of the opposition, where I have always emerged from,” Mohammed said.
“Certainly, as a leader in the PDP, we have found ourselves in a very serious ambivalence, where our party is headless. Of course, I have pursued all avenues for reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“Our people are putting me under extreme pressure, and we have set up two committees – one in Abuja at the national level, because of my position as a leader of the party, and one here to look at where to go.
“We left all our options open, including the APC itself, but certainly we have discovered that we cannot be where we are not wanted. We have to find a place within the opposition.
“That is where our fate and political destiny is taking us. And the ADC appears to be a very enduring and more acceptable platform among the people who are engaging with me so far.”
Mohammed added that discussions are ongoing and a final position would be announced by Thursday after further consultations in Abuja.
“We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we will be on the same page and not exclude ourselves from participation,” he said.
“And so, you will hear a firm commitment from us by Thursday, when we would have met in Abuja. That was why I said I have to carry everybody along.”
He stressed the need for careful consultation with stakeholders across the PDP to ensure a smooth transition.
“For now, I would say this is our preferred destination, but we have not concluded in a way that allows us to deepen stakeholder engagement and collaboration so that we do not make mistakes. That is where we are,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged the outreach by the ADC, describing it as timely in view of the PDP’s internal challenges.
“We believe in winning elections, and elections are contested and won at the polling unit. We are not afraid of anyone,” he said.
“We have done all we can in terms of self-preservation, political accommodation, and participation, but it is not working.
“Therefore, we must now confront the challenges of this existential option being presented to us by the ADC.”