Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has hosted leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid his planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Wednesday, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda met with Governor Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi. He was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.
The meeting was held behind closed doors, and none of the parties addressed journalists afterwards.
The APC officials reportedly visited Governor Mohammed to persuade him to join their party.
The development came barely 24 hours after Governor Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, hosted a delegation of the ADC led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Speaking after the Tuesday meeting with the ADC delegation, Governor Mohammed attributed his planned defection to the lingering crisis within the PDP, saying reconciliation efforts had failed.
He said: “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked. We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the APC, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
He added that although consultations were ongoing with several political platforms, the ADC had so far emerged as the most acceptable option.
“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he said.
Governor Mohammed also noted that his camp felt unwelcome in the APC, which influenced their preference for alternative parties.
“We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached, and we tried to get there, but certainly, our antecedents will connect most of the people around us, preferring ADC or other parties to APC.
“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 added.