The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, met on Wednesday with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi, amid reports that the governor is planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Yilwatda was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, with the meeting held behind closed doors. Neither party addressed journalists following the discussions.
Sources at the Government House indicated that the visit could be part of efforts to persuade Governor Mohammed to reconsider joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and instead align with the APC.
The development comes just 24 hours after Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, hosted an ADC delegation led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Speaking after the Tuesday meeting, Governor Mohammed attributed his planned defection to ongoing crises within the PDP, noting that reconciliation efforts had failed.
He said, “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.”
Mohammed explained that while consultations were ongoing with several political platforms, the ADC currently appears to be the most welcoming and acceptable option.
He also highlighted that his group felt unwelcome in the APC, influencing their preference for alternative parties. “We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached, and we tried to get there. 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 added.
The meeting signals heightened political maneuvering in Bauchi and reflects the fluidity of party affiliations ahead of future elections.
