Bala halts APC defection talks over disagreement on 60/40 power-sharing formula in Bauchi
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State aligned with Governor Bala Mohammed has announced the termination of discussions with the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding a
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State aligned with Governor Bala Mohammed has announced the termination of discussions with the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding a proposed political realignment.
The faction’s chairman, Pharm. Sama’ila Adamu Burga disclosed this at a press conference held at the party secretariat in Bauchi, the state capital.
Burga explained that the talks followed recent engagements between the governor and APC leaders, during which the ruling party extended an invitation to the governor, PDP members, and elected officials in the state, including members of the National Assembly, the Bauchi State House of Assembly, and local government councils, to consider joining the APC.
He noted that the governor responded to the invitation in the spirit of dialogue and inclusiveness, and the PDP faction participated in the discussions in good faith.
However, Burga said that after extensive consultations with stakeholders within the faction, it became clear that the conditions proposed for the political realignment were not acceptable to the APC leadership.
He added that a major sticking point was the proposed 60/40 sharing formula, which was not agreed upon, leading to the decision to discontinue further engagement.
"Simply, we have agreed that we are coming, but we have certain conditions we want to forward to you. One, we want to form at least 60 percent of the party while the APC holds on to 40 percent. Also, there are some federal projects we have executed in this state; please pay us our money. To my understanding, none of the conditions have been fulfilled”, Burga said
“I think we are lucky not to join the APC, looking at what's happening in Adamawa, Kogi, Ogun, and even Plateau State, where people left the PDP to join the APC. These people were lured to join, and today they are crying because none of those promises have been fulfilled," he added.
“In light of this, we want to announce that the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued,” he said.
He added that although the faction appreciated the outreach by the APC, the process had now been brought to a close.
Burga further stated that the PDP faction in Bauchi State, in consultation with the governor and other stakeholders, is considering other political options outside the APC.
He reaffirmed the faction’s commitment to responsible leadership, inclusive governance, and the continued progress of the state.
Read Also: Bauchi PDP urges Bala Mohammed to remain in party
Nation reports that both the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, were both trying to woo Governor Bala Mohammed, who doubles as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, to join their party.
Recall the governor had hinted at a possible switch from the PDP amid what he described as a “headless party torn by internal crises.”
Mohammed’s decision came on the heels of the internal crises in PDP, marked by factional disputes and a gale of defections to rival parties.
Barely 24 hours after the ADC visited Bauchi to woo Governor Bala Mohammed, a strong delegation of the ruling APC led by its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, also stormed the state to convince the governor to join the party.
The delegation, which included Kano State Governor Kabiru Abba Yusuf, went straight into a closed-door meeting with the governor at the Government House on Thursday, April 1, 2026.
