The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi State, fueling fresh speculation over the governor’s political future.
Yilwatda was accompanied by Abba Kabir Yusuf, adding further weight to the high-profile engagement.
The meeting, which was conducted behind closed doors, ended without any official briefing to journalists, leaving its outcome open to interpretation.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the visit may be part of efforts to convince Mohammed to reconsider his reported plan to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress and instead align with the APC.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the governor, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, hosted a delegation of the ADC led by Babachir Lawal.
Speaking after that earlier meeting, Mohammed cited the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP as a major reason behind his consideration to leave the party.
“We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked. We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the APC, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there,” he said.
He explained that while consultations were still ongoing across multiple political platforms, the ADC had so far emerged as the most acceptable option for him and his allies.
“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he added.
Mohammed also revealed that his camp felt sidelined by the APC, which contributed to their preference for alternative political parties.
“We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached, and we tried to get there, but certainly, our antecedents will connect most of the people around us, preferring ADC or other parties than APC.
“If they open up and say we should come to the APC, we will go, but for now, the preference is to move to the opposition party,” he stated.
The latest meeting between APC leaders and the Bauchi governor signals intensifying political maneuvering ahead of future elections, as major parties compete to secure influential figures and strengthen their positions nationwide.
What you should know
Bala Mohammed’s potential defection highlights ongoing instability within the PDP and the growing influence of alternative parties like the ADC.
The APC’s last-minute engagement suggests a strategic attempt to win over a key northern political figure. His final decision could significantly reshape political alignments in Bauchi State and beyond, especially as parties reposition ahead of upcoming elections.
The situation underscores the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances can shift rapidly based on negotiations and internal party dynamics.
