…Calls ADC “Our Preferred Destination”
By Franklin Adole
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has revealed that he held multiple high-level meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike in a last-ditch effort to salvage the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but was ultimately ignored, forcing him to consider a political exit.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Government House in Bauchi while receiving a delegation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, Mohammed disclosed that the ADC has now emerged as his “preferred political destination.”
The governor’s remarks come amid deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, which has been weakened by internal divisions and defections, leaving only a handful of governors, including Seyi Makinde, still firmly within its fold.
Mohammed said he made repeated efforts to broker peace within the PDP, including direct engagements with the presidency, but those attempts yielded no meaningful results.
“I met President Tinubu three times to seek his intervention in reconciling the PDP because Wike was used to destabilise the party. The President was open to the idea,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that he personally reached out to Wike, setting aside political differences in a bid to restore unity.
“I even swallowed my pride and went to Wike’s house in Abuja. But he told me he was already a conqueror and had taken over all the structures of the PDP,” Mohammed stated.
According to him, he had anticipated that the party’s national convention might not hold, which would have created an opportunity for aggrieved factions to withdraw court cases and return to the negotiating table.
“I thought the convention wouldn’t hold, so we could step back and resolve our differences. But neither the presidency nor Wike got back to me,” he added.
Faced with what he described as political isolation, Mohammed said he and his supporters were left with no choice but to explore alternatives outside the PDP.
“We kept all options open, including the APC, but it became clear we cannot remain where we are not wanted. We must find a credible platform within the opposition,” he said.
He described the ADC as a stable and widely accepted platform among his political base, noting that consultations at both state and national levels informed the decision.
“The ADC is enduring and acceptable to our people. But I am managing two constituencies — Bauchi State and the federation — so we must proceed carefully,” he said.
Mohammed disclosed that while the Bauchi State chapter of his political structure had recommended the ADC, consultations were still ongoing with key stakeholders at the national level, including those aligned with former Senate President David Mark and party elder Jerry Gana.
“There are other platforms like PRP and YPP, but ADC has been strongly recommended. We will conclude consultations with the Abuja group before making a final decision, possibly before Thursday,” he said.
The governor added that a formal announcement regarding his defection would be made once negotiations are concluded and conditions for his movement are fully agreed upon.
“The people in ADC are our brothers. Some joined earlier, and we are now joining them. It is a matter of aligning interests and finalising arrangements,” he said.
Earlier, Lawal warned that Nigeria’s political future could be endangered if the ruling All Progressives Congress retains power in the 2027 general elections.
He revealed that efforts are underway to build a broad opposition coalition capable of challenging the APC, with prominent political figures working behind the scenes to forge unity among disparate groups.
The latest development underscores the growing realignment within Nigeria’s opposition space, as key actors continue to reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.