Bala Mohammed denies defection rumours, says PDP remains his political party

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has dismissed reports suggesting he is planning to defect from the PDP, insisting the party remains his political home.

The governor clarified his position in a statement signed by Mukhtar Gidado, his special adviser on media and publicity, and released to journalists in Bauchi on Thursday.

“Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous claim credited to the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State, alleging that Governor Bala Mohammed is not welcome to join the party,” the statement said.

He described the claim as baseless and the handiwork of “an attention-seeker desperate for relevance,” adding that silence in the face of falsehood could be misconstrued as acceptance.

“The statement attributed to the PRP state secretary is false and a figment of the author’s imagination. At no time has Governor Bala Mohammed contemplated leaving the PDP, let alone initiating any move to defect to another party or making overtures to the PRP,” the statement added.

It noted that the governor has been at the forefront of efforts to stabilise the PDP and resist attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to weaken the party.

According to the statement, Mohammed’s track record of leadership is widely acknowledged within and outside Bauchi State, citing his electoral victories over the PRP in two consecutive elections as evidence of his standing.

The government stressed that Bauchi’s recent progress in governance, infrastructure, empowerment and inclusion reflects its policy priorities, contrasting them with what it described as the PRP’s “retrogressive posture.”

Read also: Gov Bala’s good governance award well deserved – PDP chieftain, Wakil

The statement urged citizens to remain vigilant and not allow the state’s recent gains to be undermined by “habitual critics whose only strategy is unfounded attacks on government.”

“Let it be stated clearly: despite the challenges facing the PDP, nothing will distract Governor Bala Mohammed from his commitment to the development of Bauchi State,” it said.

It added that while the governor reserves the constitutional right to determine his future political options, any such decision, should it ever arise, would not be influenced by “the machinations of political turncoats who thrive on falsehood and malice.”

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