HOURS AFTER BALA MOHAMMED HINTED AT JOINING ADC, APC’S YILWATDA, YUSUF, RUSH TO BAUCHI TO WOO GOVERNOR

by HEDNEWS on April 2, 2026

Political tensions heightened in Bauchi on Wednesday as top figures of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swiftly moved to engage Governor Bala Mohammed following his indication that he may defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Less than 24 hours after signalling his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed received a high-powered APC delegation led by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, at the Government House in Bauchi. The meeting, held behind closed doors, lasted about an hour, with both parties declining to speak to journalists afterward. Sources, however, suggest the visit was part of efforts by the APC leadership to persuade Mohammed to reconsider his reported move to the ADC. The development followed a prior meeting between Mohammed and a delegation of ADC leaders, reportedly sent by the party’s national leadership to court the Bauchi governor amid the deepening crisis within the PDP. Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, had openly expressed frustration with internal disputes in the party, noting that reconciliation efforts had failed and consultations with alternative political platforms were ongoing. He indicated that while multiple options were being considered, the ADC had emerged as a viable platform a statement that appears to have triggered swift counter-moves from the APC.

Analysts view the rapid visit by Yilwatda and Yusuf as a strategic intervention aimed at preventing a high-profile defection that could reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Although Mohammed had earlier suggested that he and his supporters felt unwelcome in the APC, the party’s latest outreach signals a possible shift in tone as it seeks to broaden its influence. Despite the flurry of political engagements, Mohammed has yet to make a definitive announcement regarding his next move. Observers say his decision could significantly impact the balance of power, not only in Bauchi State but also in the wider national political landscape. With both the APC and ADC intensifying efforts to secure his allegiance, the coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining the governor’s political future and the trajectory of opposition politics in Nigeria.