Defection: Bauchi APC caucus “unequivocally rejects” Gov. Bala

The Bauchi State caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected reports of a planned defection by Governor Bala Mohammed to the party.

The caucus made its position known after a meeting held on Tuesday.

Governor Mohammed, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been linked with possible political realignments involving the African Democratic Congress, ADC, though no formal defection to the APC has been confirmed.

Amid the speculation, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, reportedly visited the Bauchi Government House for a closed-door meeting with the governor.

Speaking after the caucus meeting, the senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and Chairman of the Bauchi APC caucus, Sama’ila Dahuwa, said members unanimously resolved to oppose any move to admit Governor Mohammed into the party.

According to him, the caucus, after extensive deliberations, “unequivocally rejects” such a move.

The caucus expressed concern over what it described as the governor’s past public statements critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, noting that such remarks were perceived to undermine the party’s unity and integrity.

It added that the governor had neither retracted those statements nor made any formal reconciliation efforts or public apology to the party leadership and members.

“In view of the foregoing, the caucus firmly holds that his admission into the APC at this time will be detrimental to the party’s cohesion, credibility, and electoral prospects in Bauchi State,” Mr Dahuwa said.

The caucus further declared that it would not support any move capable of compromising the party’s stability and political fortunes.

It also criticised what it described as a lack of consultation with key stakeholders within the Bauchi APC on matters of such political importance, describing the omission as inconsistent with the principles of internal democracy and inclusiveness.

The caucus said it would formally communicate its position to the party’s national leadership and call for strict adherence to due process and established party structures.