He spoke with newsmen after the inauguration of the communication sub committee for the PDP National Convention holding in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15.
Reacting to Mbah defection next Tuesday, Mohammed said, “Actually, Governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is a personal decision. We cannot remove his picture before he leaves. When he leaves, we will replace him with another person. Up till now, he has not told me he’s leaving.
“I have discussed this issue with him separately, and he has given me assurances. He’s a governor like me. I respect him and his decisions. If he goes, we will replace him,” he said.
Although he admitted being concerned that the PDP governors were leaving for APC, Mohammed said he cannot determine the decisions or inactions of his colleagues.
He disclosed that the defections would have been more devastating at the onset, but we have been talking and discussing.
He blamed the APC for the defections, saying it is trying to make Nigeria a one-party state.
“They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything.
“I cannot say that my colleagues are wrong; they are free to do whatever they choose. But I have been advising them that even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections.
“Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations. I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues,” he added.
He however assured he won’t dump PDP, adding “I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division.
“Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP, and the issue is PDP because Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP. Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes.”
The Bauchi State governor said the defections from the party has created space for persons, who, like him, became governor after he was considered incapable.
“That’s what will play out in 2027. I am optimistic that we will get a new set of leaders in 2027 who will defeat the deceptive style of the APC by coming up with true leaders who will listen to Nigerians and address their challenges by the grace of God.
“If somebody goes, just like a bird, they go, they come. Please don’t blame anybody at the governor’s level; we are doing our best, but it is beyond our control,” he said.
On threats over the convening of the Convention, he said the party is working hard to address issues of litigation.
While he noted that many of the litigations are artificially created to undermine the party, he said there is no faction in the PDP.
On Jonathan’s 2027 project, the governor said he was happy big names were associated with them.
He however added that the governors have removed personal interests and are set on coming up with leadership “that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock.”
Reacting to the status of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara in PDP, Mohammed said, “He has not left the party; he is still in the PDP. Everybody has his own style.
“He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in.
“Certainly, he is still in the PDP, and to me, he is still my deputy,” the Bauchi State governor added.
