The planned defection of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has collapsed over disagreements on a proposed power-sharing arrangement.
Talks between the governor’s Turaki-led PDP faction and the APC leadership ended in a deadlock after the ruling party reportedly rejected a 60–40 formula for control of party structures in the state.
Despite the breakdown, the governor and his allies say they remain open to aligning with other political parties, adding that consultations are ongoing to explore alternative platforms at both ward and state levels.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in Bauchi, Sama’ila Burga, said the APC had shown it was unwilling to accommodate the PDP structure alongside the state government.
Burga disclosed that the APC initiated the talks through the governor, involving its national leadership and the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi to persuade Mohammed to join the party.
He said negotiations stalled after the APC declined to accept the 60–40 sharing formula, which he noted had been applied in similar defections elsewhere.
“This is how it has been done in other states where governors defected to the APC. They rejected this formula, and we have closed that discussion. You cannot expect a government bringing its structure from ward level to the state not to have control of the party,” Burga said.
He added that the decision to halt discussions followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
“After careful consideration, it became clear that the conditions collectively advanced for such a political realignment were not accepted by the APC leadership. As a result, the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued,” he said.
Burga noted that the PDP faction is now considering other political options.
“While we appreciate the engagement by the APC, the process has now been brought to a close. The PDP in Bauchi State, in consultation with the governor and other stakeholders, is actively exploring alternative political platforms in line with the best interests of the people,” he added.
