BY CHARLES CHIJIOKE
Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has formally announced his intention to contest the Bauchi South senatorial seat in the 2027 elections, while indicating that his ongoing talks to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are nearing completion.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Mohammed said a final decision on his political future would be made within days, following weeks of intense consultations triggered by the leadership crisis rocking the PDP.
“With only a few days left, we are working to conclude discussions on where to move,” he said. “The PDP leadership, including Tanimu Turaki, will remain to pursue the matter, while we give our supporters the opportunity to contest on other platforms. Within a week, we will make our position known in Bauchi.”
His comments come in the wake of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling that voided the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, a judgment that deepened divisions within the party and fueled speculation about defections by key figures.
Mohammed dismissed suggestions that the ruling favoured any faction, noting that both camps lost ground. “It is neither a total defeat for us nor a complete victory for the other side. While our Ibadan convention was nullified, their leadership was also set aside,” he said, adding that the party’s board of trustees would oversee affairs pending the emergence of an interim leadership. Amid swirling rumours of a presidential ambition, the governor ruled out any such plan, insisting his focus remains on representing Bauchi South in the Senate.
“I have no interest in contesting for the presidency; in fact, we supported zoning it to the south for the sake of fairness within the PDP,” he said. “However, I have decided to contest for the senate because the people of Bauchi-south have asked me to as long as I am alive and healthy, I feel it is my duty to accept their call and serve.”
He also confirmed ongoing engagements with opposition figures, including Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, though he acknowledged the complexity of forming a unified political front. “We are currently in talks with Kwankaso and Obi. While people ask us to team up and work together, remaining in the same political alignment is difficult because every state is unique,” he said.
The governor’s declaration signals a potential realignment in Bauchi politics and could reshape alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. His possible exit from the PDP, alongside reported outreach to parties such as the African Democratic Congress and the All Progressives Congress, may weaken the PDP’s foothold in the state while strengthening emerging coalitions.
If confirmed, Mohammed’s move could trigger further defections, deepen fragmentation within opposition ranks, and intensify competition among parties positioning for control of key northern constituencies in the next electoral cycle.
