Gov Bala eyes ADC as APC scrambles to woo him

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched moves to prevent Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed from defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), just days after former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso dramatically joined the party, boosting its national profile.

Kwankwaso’s entry into the ADC has triggered a wave of high-profile defections from both the APC and NNPP, significantly elevating the party’s visibility. With Mohammed now hinting at joining the same platform, the APC is reportedly mounting urgent efforts to halt another major loss.

On Wednesday, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, accompanied by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, paid Mohammed an unscheduled visit at the Government House, Bauchi.

The meeting, held behind closed doors, ended without any briefing to journalists. Sources suggest the visit was part of a strategic push to discourage the Bauchi governor from moving to the increasingly influential ADC.

Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, had on Tuesday hosted an ADC delegation led by former SGF Babachir Lawal.

During the meeting, he openly hinted that he was ready to leave the crisis-ridden PDP and that the ADC appeared to be the most attractive alternative.

“We have found ourselves in a very serious situation,” Mohammed said, referencing failed reconciliation efforts within the PDP.

“We set up committees at national and state levels to explore all options — including even the APC — but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”

He explained that ongoing consultations with political platforms had positioned the ADC as the most promising and welcoming option so far.

“As of now, ADC appears to be a very acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions.

“We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he said.

Mohammed further stated that his camp felt sidelined by the APC, which influenced their tilt toward alternative parties.

“We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached, and although we tried to get there, our antecedents seem to push people around us toward the ADC or other parties,” he added.

He said his team would still consider the APC if the door were opened to them, but for now, their preference was shifting toward the opposition.

“If they open up and say we should come to the APC, we will go. But for now, the preference is to move to the opposition party,” he said.