Founding Fathers, Bigwigs Have Concluded Plans To Dump PDP – Gov Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has raised concerns over the potential exit of key founding members and influential figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that such defections could weaken the party ahead of future elections.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, Governor Mohammed expressed alarm over the growing dissatisfaction among members, attributing the unrest to the party’s prolonged leadership crisis and alleged infiltration by moles working against PDP unity.

Impending Defections

Referring to the recent departure of former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, Mohammed revealed that other high-ranking members are also contemplating leaving the party.

“Many founding members of the party said they are tired of the leadership and administrative instability in the party and might soon leave,” he said.

The governor added that some aggrieved members are considering forming or joining smaller political parties as alternatives for the 2027 elections.

Appeal for Patience

The governor disclosed that he recently met with PDP youth leaders, urging them to appeal to the founding members to remain patient while efforts are made to resolve the party’s challenges.

“If that is not done, we will simply and cheaply play to the plans of the ruling APC, and that might result in the extinction of the PDP,” he warned.

Leadership Crisis and Allegations

Governor Mohammed acknowledged that the PDP’s primary challenge lies in its leadership and accused certain individuals within the party of acting as “black sheep” working in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We have had enough of this ‘behind the scene’ operation by some individuals who were allegedly planted in our midst to destabilize us,” he said.

The governor also criticized the judiciary for contributing to the party’s leadership woes through conflicting rulings, which he claimed have sown confusion and eroded public confidence.

Despite the challenges, Mohammed expressed optimism that ongoing reconciliation efforts would rejuvenate the party.

“Nigerians are waiting for us to put our house in order, present credible and competent individuals for elections in the next cycle. But being divided might or will affect our chances of winning elections in future,” he said.

The governor called on aggrieved members to give the reconciliation process a chance, promising that a stronger and more united PDP would soon emerge.

Highlighting PDP’s role as Nigeria’s main opposition party, Mohammed stressed the importance of preserving its strength to ensure a vibrant democracy.

“PDP is the main opposition party in Nigeria for now, and we cannot afford to allow it die, thereby silencing the power of the opposition in Nigeria. That might threaten our democracy,” he concluded.