Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside loyalists aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction.
The announcement was made at the Government House in Bauchi, where the governor appeared alongside APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, and other party stakeholders.
Mohammed said the decision followed extensive consultations and was driven by the need to secure electoral success and provide a strong political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the move aims to better mobilise supporters and offer a credible alternative to the electorate, stressing that his priority remains effective governance and service delivery.
With the next general elections approaching, the governor noted that remaining without a viable political structure would not serve the interests of his supporters.
Despite his departure, Mohammed expressed gratitude to the PDP, under which he was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, acknowledging the party’s role in his political journey and contributions to state development.
Following the defection, Dantalle formally welcomed him into the APM, presenting him with a membership card and party insignia.
The move comes after months of speculation surrounding the governor’s political future amid internal challenges within the PDP. Until his exit, Mohammed served as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
His departure leaves Seyi Makinde as one of the few remaining PDP governors.
Prior to joining the APM, Mohammed had reportedly engaged in discussions with leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the ruling All Progressives Congress, though those talks did not result in a defection.
