Bauchi Gov’t Denies Governor Bala Mohammed’s Alleged Defection From PDP

The Bauchi State Government has dismissed claims suggesting that Governor Bala Mohammed was planning to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, described the allegation as completely baseless, stressing that Governor Mohammed has never considered leaving the PDP or making any move toward joining the PRP.

“Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement credited to the Bauchi State Publicity Secretary of the PRP, alleging that Governor Bala Mohammed is not welcome to join the party,” Gidado said.

“Ordinarily, such a baseless remark would be ignored as the outburst of an attention seeker. However, silence in the face of falsehood can be misread as acceptance, hence this clarification,” he added.

According to the statement, the claim attributed to the PRP official was entirely false and a product of the author’s imagination.

“We state unequivocally that Governor Bala Mohammed has never contemplated leaving the PDP, let alone reaching out to any party or making overtures to the PRP,” Gidado reiterated.

He maintained that Governor Mohammed who is the chairman of PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has instead been a frontline figure in efforts to strengthen and stabilise the PDP amid challenges orchestrated by what he described as anti-democratic forces determined to create a one-party state.

Gidado emphasised that the governor’s leadership credentials were widely acknowledged within and outside Bauchi State, citing his decisive victories over the PRP in two competitive elections as evidence.

“Today, Bauchi stands as a regional powerhouse, testimony to a government that places good governance above grandstanding, prioritises people over power, and upholds empowerment and inclusion,” he said.

He explained that the governor’s reforms, including restructuring traditional institutions and devolving powers, were designed to deepen empowerment and inclusion in the State.

He criticised the PRP for failing to recognise the value of such reforms, describing the party as progressive in name but retrogressive in character.

The statement also cautioned residents to remain vigilant and not allow the state’s recent gains in infrastructure, empowerment, rural development, urban renewal, and tourism to be jeopardised by “Ideologues whose only expertise is criticising every government.”

“Let it be clear. Nothing, despite the treachery faced by the PDP, will distract Governor Bala Mohammed from his commitment to Bauchi State’s development,” Gidado said.

He added that while the Governor Mohammed reserved the constitutional right to decide his future political affiliations, any such decision would not be influenced by “political turncoats thriving on falsehood and malice.”