Bauchi gov refutes Jonathan VP rumours, stick to Senate bid

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dismissed reports linking him to a proposed presidential ticket involving former President Goodluck Jonathan and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general election.

The governor’s reaction followed claims circulating on social media that he was being considered as Jonathan’s running mate after the former president emerged as the presidential candidate of a PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki.

Jonathan was adopted as the faction’s presidential flag bearer during a special national convention held in Abuja on Saturday. Although he did not attend the event, his certificate of return was received on his behalf by a federal lawmaker from Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi.

The speculation gained traction after a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Nuhu Sada, posted on X that reports suggested Mohammed could be paired with Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race.

Responding to the claim in a post via his verified X handle on Sunday, Mohammed denied any involvement in such political arrangements.

The governor stated that his political ambition remains focused on representing Bauchi South Senatorial District on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement.

“Thank you for your interest in my political aspirations. However, for the sake of clarity, my focus remains firmly on contesting for the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM),” Mohammed wrote.

The governor also urged the public to ignore reports suggesting otherwise.

“Any reports suggesting a different political course should be disregarded as speculative and inaccurate,” he stated.

PidomNigeria Online reports that Mohammed recently left the PDP and joined the APM amid the lingering leadership and internal disputes within the main opposition party.

His latest clarification appears aimed at dispelling speculation over his political future and reaffirming his commitment to the senatorial contest in 2027.

Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.