Wike, Bala Mohammed At Loggerheads Over PDP, APC Membership

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday engaged in a fierce war of words over the governor’s looming defection from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to either the All Progressives Congress, APC, or the African Democratic Congress, ADC. While Mohammed fingered Wike for the PDP crisis, and the reason he is leaving the party, Wike mocked the governor over his inability to negotiate his way to the APC, describing his impending exit from the PDP as good riddance to bad rubbish. Governor Mohammed, one of the remaining PDP governors and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, has indicated readiness to dump the party amid its lingering internal crisis. The governor, who met with ADC leaders on Tuesday and APC leaders yesterday at Bauchi Government House, has kept both parties guessing over his next political move. A leader of the ADC told Vanguard yesterday, “We are waiting but I can’t confirm whether or not he is joining us. The APC people have also gone to see him. After tomorrow, you can call me, then we can talk.” Wike responsible for PDP’s problems, unwilling to reconcile – Bauchi gov Speaking after the meeting with ADC leaders on Tuesday, Mohammed blamed Wike for the PDP crisis which, he said, informed his decision to consider leaving the party. ‘’I have done everything possible to reconcile within the PDP. I met APC leadership at the national level, including its chairman, and even met the President three times in an effort to encourage reconciliation. ‘’I also met Nyesom Wike personally, putting aside personal pride. However, his position was clear; he believes he has already taken control of the party. Related News ADC crisis: Atiku, Obi, Amaechi suffer setback as INEC strikes out Mark, Aregbesola’s names Abuja satellite town dumpsite residents lament hellish stench Playing the 1998 Abacha power game in 2026, by Ikechukwu Amaechi “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked,” he said. Keeps ADC, APC guessing “We explored all options, including the APC, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.” He added that the ADC currently appears more receptive. “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.” Mohammed said a final decision would be taken soon. “We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we can move forward together. You will hear a firm commitment from us,” he said. APC chairman meets Mohammed amid defection talks Meanwhile, National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, met with Bala Mohammed, at Government House in Bauchi yesterday, amid reports of the governor’s planned defection from the PDP. Yilwatda was accompanied by Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf. The meeting was held behind closed doors, with none of the parties addressing journalists afterwards. Sources at Government House said the visit might be connected with efforts to persuade Mohammed to reconsider his reported move to the ADC and instead, align with APC. The development comes barely 24 hours after the governor, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, hosted a delegation of the ADC, led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. Bala’s exit from PDP good riddance — Wike Attacking Mohammed, Wike, speaking during an inspection of projects in Abuja, described the governor’s planned exit from the PDP as “good riddance to bad rubbish,” alleging that the Bauchi governor had been engaged in desperate behind-the-scenes negotiations for political survival. According to him, Mohammed held multiple meetings with President Bola Tinubu in a bid to secure entry into the APC. “It is very embarrassing. He said he went to see Mr President three times. What did he go to see Mr President for? He went to negotiate so that he can bring his successor and the APC refused him. “He came to me and said he had gone to Mr President and would work for him. Why didn’t he tell Nigerians he met Mr President three times? You are in another party and going to see Mr President to solve your party problem?” Wike further disclosed that Mohammed also sought his intervention within the PDP structure but failed. Wike’s attack In what appeared an explosive revelation, Wike detailed what he described as a desperate and ultimately last-minute failed attempt by the Bauchi governor to jump ship to the ruling APC or negotiate for positions within the National Working Committee NWC of the PDP. According to the minister, Governor Mohammed’s public posturing as a party loyalist masks a behind-the-scenes scramble for political survival. Wike alleged that the governor engaged in a series of high-level negotiations to facilitate his entry into the APC, claiming that Mohammed met with President Bola

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