……APC offers Senate ticket but denies governor control over succession
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on the brink of another major political crisis as the Chairman of its Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has concluded plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) this week, authoritative sources have disclosed.
According to a reports by multiple sources, the terms of the governor’s defection are currently being negotiated, with a meeting already held between Mohammed, President Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of the APC.
Multiple sources privy to the negotiations revealed that unlike the warm reception and control given to previous defectors, Mohammed has been handed stringent conditions by the ruling party.
It was gathered that while the governor has been offered the APC senatorial ticket to fulfill his ambition to join the upper legislative chamber, he will not be handed the structure of the party in Bauchi State. Furthermore, he has been expressly barred from nominating his successor.
“Unlike the privileges extended to the early defectors, Bala Mohammed can’t get the full APC structure in Bauchi. They told him the best he could get is his ticket to the Senate since he is nursing the ambition, but he can’t nominate his successor. He was told in clear terms,” the sources told newsmen.
Sources indicate that Mohammed has already complied with this demand, apologising to the president’s son to demonstrate his seriousness about joining the APC. However, he is said to be uncomfortable with his inability to influence his succession.
In a bid to salvage his legacy, the governor has reportedly approached the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to intervene and persuade the president to consider a 60/40 structure-sharing arrangement in the state.
The planned defection may be linked to the legal troubles of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is currently facing terrorism charges and a money laundering case involving approximately N4.6 billion. Sources suggest the commissioner has threatened to implicate the governor if he remains in custody.
The development has reportedly caused shock and disappointment within the camp of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, a key ally of Mohammed in the fight to reposition the PDP.
Members of the Makinde camp view the move as a capitulation and a betrayal of their collective efforts to strengthen the opposition party.
To solidify his plans, Mohammed is expected to convene a stakeholders’ meeting in Bauchi State this week, pending the president’s final response to his request.
If Mohammed proceeds with the defection, the APC will increase its control to 32 governors. The PDP would be left with only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as its sole governor, while the Labour Party (LP) holds Abia State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) holds Anambra, and the Accord Party holds Osun State.
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