Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, Denies Rumoured Defection from PDP

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed rumours suggesting his defection from the party.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday after the inaugural meeting of the PDP Publicity and Communications Sub-Committee for the forthcoming national convention, Mohammed reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP.

“I assure you, I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division,” he declared.

The governor expressed concern over the recent wave of defections by some PDP governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as worrisome but beyond his personal control.

“As a leader among equals, I cannot dictate the choices of my colleagues,” he explained. “However, much work is being done behind the scenes to stabilize the situation. This defection issue could have been worse at the beginning, but we have been engaging and discussing.”

He added that some governors who left the party did so under pressure or due to political calculations. “I will not speak ill of my colleagues, but I assure you that I am firmly in the PDP,” he said.

Mohammed urged defecting members not to “demarket” the party, stressing that internal disagreements should not be used to weaken its public image.

On ongoing court cases ahead of the PDP’s national convention, the governor confirmed that the party leadership was actively addressing the issues. “Some litigations were deliberately instituted to destabilize the party,” he noted. “In Bauchi, I’ve even seen cases filed to stop the convention, but we are handling them decisively.”

Reacting to speculations about Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State leaving the PDP, Mohammed said he had personally spoken with Mbah, who assured him of his continued loyalty to the party.

He also reaffirmed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, remains a PDP member. “He is a humble, young man who has endured many challenges but continues to stand with the party. To me, he is still my deputy in the forum,” he stated.

Commenting on rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan might contest the 2027 presidential election under the PDP, Mohammed said the party was pleased that notable personalities continued to identify with it.

Earlier, while addressing the sub-committee, the governor urged members to remain focused and not be discouraged by defections or distractions.

“Our national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan will hold as planned,” he assured. “By the grace of God, no Jupiter will stop us, and no dark forces will prevail against the PDP.”