Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors’Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has expressed confidencethat the opposition party will remain strong and reclaim power in 2027, despiteongoing defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Speaking with journalists on Saturday in Abuja, Mohammed,who also serves as Chairman of the PDP National Convention Publicity andCommunication Subcommittee, said the party was working quietly to stabilise itsranks and rebuild public trust. He admitted concern over the recent defections of somegovernors and lawmakers to the APC but noted that efforts were ongoing tostrengthen the party. “I am more than concerned about our governors leaving forthe APC. But leadership is a burden. A lot of work is being done behind thescenes to keep the party united,” he said. Mohammed accused the APC-led federal government of usingcoercive tactics to weaken the opposition and push Nigeria towards a one-partysystem. “You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federalgovernment in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have thepower of coercion; they have the power of everything,” he said. The governor, however, maintained that defections would notderail the PDP’s resurgence, saying the party still enjoyed massive grassrootssupport. “Even those who left are not finding it easy because most ofthe people at the grassroots are PDP and are not happy with the defections. Iassure you I am not going anywhere. My state has no element of division,” hesaid. Mohammed acknowledged that more defections could happen,including among lawmakers in Bauchi State, but stressed that the PDP structureremained intact. “Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators isgoing. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, thestate is PDP. Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it throughthe PDP,” he said. He added that the PDP remained the only credible platformcapable of rebuilding the nation, noting that most of the federal government’smajor achievements were recorded under PDP administrations. “Most of the measurable achievements by the federalgovernment were done by PDP regimes. By the grace of God, if we stand firm, wewill deliver. Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable,and here we are. That’s what will play out in 2027,” he said. On the forthcoming PDP convention, Mohammed said the partyleadership was working to resolve internal disputes and court cases aimed atdestabilising preparations. “Many litigations are artificially created to undermine us,but we don’t have any faction in the PDP. Comparatively, most of the otherparties are not better off than us. We are better organised, with one NationalSecretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary,” he said. Responding to speculation about possible defections by somePDP governors, Mohammed said Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah had notcommunicated any decision to leave the party. “Governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is apersonal decision. Up till now, he has not told me he’s leaving,” he said. He also dismissed claims that Rivers State GovernorSiminalayi Fubara had left the PDP, describing him as a loyal member who hadweathered significant challenges. “He has not left the party. He is a humble young man who hasgone through a lot and is managing the situation well,” he said. Commenting on speculations linking former President GoodluckJonathan to a possible 2027 presidential project, Mohammed said the PDPremained open to welcoming prominent figures who wished to associate with theparty. “People are still interested in this party, and these bignames being associated with us make us happy. We are united and will come upwith leadership that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock,inshallah,” he said. Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, expressingoptimism that visionary leaders would emerge from the party in 2027 tochallenge what he described as the APC’s “deceptive” politics. “If somebody goes, just like a bird, they go, they come.Please don’t blame anybody at the governor’s level; we are doing our best, butit is beyond our control,” he said.
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