Bauchi Governor Considers Joining ADC

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has revealed his consideration of moving to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asserting that the party possesses the strength to rival the governing All Progressive Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 elections.

The governor's remarks came after he held a private discussion with a group led by Babachir David Lawal, the National Chairman of the ADC, at the Presidential Lodge in Bauchi on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Mohammed noted that Senator David Mark, the ADC's national chairman, had reached out to him with an invitation to join the party. He referred to the ADC as a “preferred destination,” but mentioned that discussions and consultations were still in progress to ensure a well-informed decision.

The governor indicated that a conclusive decision regarding the defection is expected soon, with a formal announcement likely to take place by Thursday.

“We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we can move forward together. You will hear a firm commitment from us,” he said.

He also highlighted the current lack of leadership within his current party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating attempts to mediate conflicts within the party had been unsuccessful, causing him to feel pressure from his supporters to consider other political alternatives.

“We have found ourselves in a very serious ambivalence where our party is headless. We have to find a place within the opposition. That is where our fate and political destiny are taking us to. And ADC appears to be a very enduring and acceptable platform,” he remarked.

Mohammed stressed that the decision to join the ADC was not made lightly, crediting the party’s structure and leadership as key attractions.

Despite pursuing reconciliation efforts within the PDP at both the national and local levels, he reported that no significant developments had emerged.

Additionally, he mentioned that two committees had been set up—one at the national level in Abuja and another in Bauchi—to assess the political trajectory of his faction, which includes deliberations on affiliations with various political parties.

He underscored that staying in an environment where they are not embraced is becoming unsustainable, emphasizing the necessity of aligning with a viable opposition party.

In earlier comments, Babachir David Lawal, the ADC delegation leader, stated their visit was prompted by the party's National Chairman to invite the governor to join the ADC. Lawal described Governor Mohammed as a bold political force whose joining would bolster the party's prospects in future elections.

He also underscored the importance of unity among the opposition, cautioning that a failure to consolidate could result in serious repercussions for Nigeria's future.

This meeting comes on the heels of a gathering of PDP stakeholders convened by Governor Mohammed in Bauchi just days before.