BREAKING: APC Agrees 60/40 Power-Sharing Deal In Bauchi As Bala Mohammed Joins Another Party
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is set to formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday following the conclusion of negotiations that reportedly secured him a 60/40 power-sharing arrangement within the party structure in the state.
The anticipated defection marks a significant political shift in Bauchi and could further strengthen the ruling party’s position nationally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources familiar with the negotiations disclosed that the governor’s move to the APC was sealed after a series of high-level consultations involving Bola Ahmed Tinubu, key party leaders, and influential political figures from Bauchi State.
The development follows earlier reports revealing Mohammed’s intention to leave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he currently serves as a prominent member and governor.
Negotiations and Power-Sharing Agreement
Insiders said the APC leadership conceded to a major demand from Mohammed by approving a 60/40 power-sharing formula that would give the governor and his political allies significant influence within the party’s structure in Bauchi.
As part of the understanding, Mohammed is also expected to receive the party’s ticket to contest for a Senate seat after completing his tenure as governor.
However, one critical issue remains unresolved, whether the governor will be granted the authority to nominate his successor for the 2027 governorship election.
Sources revealed that Mohammed has strongly insisted that he should retain the privilege of choosing his preferred successor, arguing that similar political courtesies had been extended to other political leaders in the past.
Despite this demand, President Tinubu is said to have maintained that the control of the APC structure in Bauchi should remain with the party’s collective leadership rather than being handed to any individual.
The president’s position reportedly stems from the political sensitivity of Bauchi State, which hosts several influential political actors and competing interests.
Competing Interests in Bauchi Governorship Race
Several prominent figures from Bauchi are believed to be eyeing the governorship position in 2027, making the question of succession particularly contentious.
Among those mentioned as potential aspirants are the Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and oil and gas executive Bala Wunti.
The presence of multiple influential contenders has reportedly influenced the president’s insistence that the party structure should not be controlled by a single political bloc.
Nevertheless, sources say Mohammed has decided to proceed with his defection ceremony even though the succession issue remains unresolved.
The planned event is expected to be attended by senior APC leaders, government officials, and political stakeholders from across the state.
APC Strengthens Numerical Advantage
If the defection proceeds as planned, the ruling APC will further increase its tally of governors across the country.
Political observers note that Mohammed’s move would bring the number of governors aligned with the APC to 32, leaving the opposition parties, the PDP, Labour Party Nigeria (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Accord Party, with only one governor each.
Analysts say the development reflects the shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, as many politicians reposition themselves within the ruling party’s orbit.
PDP Grapples with Internal Crisis
Mohammed’s impending defection comes at a time when the PDP is battling a deep internal leadership crisis that has divided the party into rival factions.
Efforts are currently underway to reconcile the faction led by former Minister Tanimu Turaki with another camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ahead of a proposed reconciliation meeting, the Wike-aligned leadership has outlined two conditions it considers non-negotiable.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee loyal to Wike, Haruna Mohammed, the March 29 national convention of the party must hold as scheduled.
He also insisted that the establishment of any new caretaker committee should not be entertained since a leadership structure is already in place.
“We are open for reconciliation, but we have conditions that are non-negotiable,” he said, explaining that all parties involved in the discussions would present written terms to prevent misrepresentation.
Ongoing Reconciliation Efforts
Former PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, confirmed that discussions were ongoing between the factions, though no formal agreement had yet been reached.
“We have been meeting but no truce yet,” Anyanwu stated, noting that the dialogue was aimed at easing tensions and paving the way for a broader reconciliation.
Despite the ongoing disputes, some PDP leaders insist that the party remains a formidable opposition force.
A party chieftain and former member of the 2023 presidential campaign council of Atiku Abubakar, Adetokunbo Pearse, argued that the internal challenges facing the PDP were being exaggerated.
According to him, the party still commands widespread grassroots support across the country.
“What is happening to the PDP is not as disastrous as many people think,” Pearse said. “People in their minds are still with the party as the main opposition platform.”
Lamido Calls for Unity
Meanwhile, founding member of the PDP and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has urged party leaders to close ranks and support the caretaker leadership structure associated with Wike.
Speaking during a Ramadan Iftar gathering with PDP stakeholders in Bamaina, Jigawa State, Lamido stressed the need for unity to prevent further weakening of the opposition party.
He described Wike as a strategic political actor who stepped in to fill a leadership vacuum after the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee expired.
“Some people may not agree with him politically, but that should not stop us from engaging him in the spirit of unity and brotherhood,” Lamido said.
“The task before us now is reconciliation and rebuilding the party.”
Political Implications
Political analysts believe Mohammed’s move to the APC could significantly alter the political landscape in Bauchi State and further intensify competition within the ruling party ahead of the next election cycle.
While the governor’s defection appears imminent, the unresolved issue of succession could still shape the internal dynamics of the APC in the state in the coming months.
For the PDP, the potential loss of another governor underscores the urgency of resolving its internal divisions if it hopes to remain competitive against the ruling party in future elections.
