Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains Nigeria’s strongest and most formidable political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, boasting that several influential political figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are constantly linked to returning to the party.
Speaking during a recent media briefing broadcast by Symfoni TV and monitored by SaharaReporters, the Bauchi governor dismissed fears over ongoing defections within the PDP.
He insisted that the party remains united and more attractive than any other political organisation in Nigeria.
“If you ask me whether I’m concerned, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden,” Mohammed said.
“As a leader of a group that is of equal status, it is not in my position to really determine the decision, action, or inaction of my colleagues. But certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.”
The governor accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, alleging that the defection of some PDP members was orchestrated through financial inducement and coercion.
“You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state,” he said.
“They have been cajoled. They have been bought. They have done a lot of things for them to do. But certainly, the state is PDP and the country is PDP because they want a change.”
Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said despite the gale of defections, the PDP still enjoys massive grassroots support across Nigeria.
He maintained that even those who had left the party were already regretting their decision.
“Even for those who are left, I don’t think they are finding it easy there,” he stated. “Most of the people at the state or grassroots level are not happy with this defection. Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations.”
He, however, cautioned those leaving the PDP not to tarnish the image of the party as they exit.
“What I don’t like, as I said to the members, is for you to demarcate PDP because you want to go. If you want to go, you can go quietly. Nobody stops you,” he said.
Governor Mohammed also dismissed reports of internal divisions within the PDP, describing the party as the only “national political structure still standing.”
“They are artificially trying to undermine us. But you can see as it is, we don’t have any faction in the PDP. It’s one PDP at the national level,” he said.
“Looking comparatively, most of the other parties are not even better off than PDP. We are better off than most of the opposition parties.”
He added that the PDP remains the only political party with a consistent identity and structure since 1999.
“We have one national chairman, one publicity secretary. So, this gives you hope that at the end of the day, we’ll be able to deliver, because as a big party with a history that started in 1999, we are still with the same logo, the same color, the same manifesto, the same leadership.”
Commenting on speculations that Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, might defect from the PDP, Mohammed said the rumours were unconfirmed, stressing that he had spoken to Mbah several times and the latter had assured him of his loyalty to the party.
“Mbah has not told us he’s leaving,” he said. “It’s a personal decision. We cannot just remove his picture before he leaves. Up to now, he has not told me that he’s leaving. I know I have discussed this issue with him several times and he has given me assurances. But as I said, he’s a governor like me. He’s not under me. He’s my colleague. I respect him and I respect his decisions.”
Mohammed, however, struck a defiant tone about the PDP’s future, hinting that big political figures were still being linked to the party ahead of 2027.
“Jonathan is coming. He’s going with Bala Mohammed. Jonathan is coming. He’s going with Kwankwaso. Obi is coming,” he declared.
“That is what makes PDP tick. You see, people are still interested in this party. And these big names are associated with us coming to our party. Definitely, we are happy.”
He concluded by expressing optimism that the PDP would reclaim power in 2027.
“I am still very, very optimistic that we are going to get a new set of leaders in this country in 2027 who will defeat this deceptive style of the APC,” he said.
“They will be leaders recruited by Nigerians, real leaders who will listen to their problems and address their challenges by the grace of God. So don’t worry yourself. If somebody goes, just like a barrack, so they go, so they come.”
