Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Defects from PDP to APM Ahead of 2027 Elections

Former PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman cites need for “credible political platform”

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By Bukar Goni | Bauchi, Nigeria | May 3, 2026

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), ending months of political speculation.

The announcement was made on Saturday at the Government House in Bauchi, where the governor appeared alongside party leaders and government officials.

Governor Mohammed said the decision followed “extensive consultations” with political stakeholders and supporters, stressing that the move was strategic ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement,” he stated. “This is guided by one overriding objective—to secure victory and continue to serve our people with integrity while presenting a credible alternative.”

The 67-year-old politician explained that remaining in the PDP under current conditions would weaken his political base and limit opportunities for effective mobilisation.

He added that the approaching election cycle made it imperative to align with a platform capable of sustaining political momentum.

“We cannot allow our people to be left without a viable political platform. Our duty is to provide direction and ensure that opportunities for progress are not diminished,” he said.

End of PDP Era

Mohammed’s exit marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s opposition politics. Until his defection, he served as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and was one of the party’s most influential figures.

He expressed gratitude to the PDP, under which he was elected governor in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.

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“It has been a platform through which we contributed to the development of our state and nation. We remain grateful for this history,” he noted.

His departure leaves Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as one of the few remaining prominent PDP governors.

APM Welcomes New Entrant

The National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, formally received the governor into the party, presenting him with a membership card and party insignia.

“I welcome you into the party. This membership card formally qualifies you as a member,” Dantalle said during the ceremony.

The symbolic presentation included the party’s logo, a cassava tuber, and branded materials.

Failed Talks with Other Parties

Before settling for the APM, Governor Mohammed reportedly held consultations with key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, those discussions did not produce a workable agreement, prompting his eventual alignment with the APM.

Political analysts view the move as a calculated attempt to reposition ahead of 2027 amid internal crises within the PDP.

Governor Mohammed’s defection represents a major political realignment in Bauchi State and the wider opposition landscape. With the 2027 elections approaching, his move to the APM signals a shift that could reshape alliances and electoral strategies across Nigeria.