Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and stakeholders in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are holding critical meeting behind closed doors inside the Government House ahead of the governor’s rumoured defection to APM.

Bala Mohammed, chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum has attempted to join both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but failed.

Our Correspondent reports that the Governor who is meeting the stakeholders is set to announce his formal defection to APM today. Youth and some political appointees were seen on the streets of Bauchi, jubilating with cassava in their hands and branded T-shirts and banners of APM.

Posters of Governor Mohammed were seen online with the senatorial camping logo of APM.

Mohammed, on March 31, hosted leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Babachir Lawal, at the Bauchi Government House.

He also received Nentawe Yilwatda and Abba Yusuf on April 1, further fueling speculation about a possible defection.

However, the consultations collapsed on April 18 after both sides failed to agree on a power-sharing arrangement.

During an interview with BBC Hausa, Mohammed said discussions on his political direction were nearing conclusion.

“With only a few days left, we are working to conclude discussions on where to move,” he said.

“The PDP leadership, including Tanimu Turaki, will remain to pursue the matter, while we allow our supporters to contest on other platforms. Within a week, we will make our position known in Bauchi.”

The governor ruled out any presidential ambition, stating that his focus remains on his senatorial bid.

“I have no interest in contesting for the presidency; in fact, we supported zoning it to the South for fairness within the PDP,” he said.

“However, I have decided to contest for the Senate because the people of Bauchi South have asked me to. They have placed their hope in me, and as long as I am alive and healthy, I consider it my duty to accept their call to serve.”

Mohammed also disclosed that he is in talks with opposition figures, including Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, over possible political collaboration.

“We are currently in talks with Kwankwaso and Obi. While many are asking us to team up and work together, remaining in the same political alignment is difficult because each state is unique,” he said.

“The issues we face are different, and the interests of the people vary significantly from one region to another.”