The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has announced his official defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied People’s Movement (APM), saying he left with all his structure from ward, local government to state level.

Mohammed announced his defection on Saturday after a meeting with PDP stakeholders in the state.

Addressing the press after the meeting, the Governor explained that his team is facing “extraordinary times.” Saying that they are confronted with an “unusual and complex political situation, but I am reassured by your steadfast commitment and the commitment you continue to demonstrate and your loyalty.

Mohammed said that in the last eight days, he has been in Abuja, engaged at the highest level to address the challenges facing the PDP. “I sought all available avenues with diligence and good faith.

“However, the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment has fundamentally altered the landscape and our expectations. The court in a split decision nullified the parallel conventions conducted by the contending factions and declared all actions emanating from these conventions null and void.

“This has effectively left both sides without legal standing and with the Board of Trustees temporarily assuming responsibility for the affairs of the party as enunciated in the constitution of the PDP. Despite this, we have witnessed actions that do not align with the spirit and letter of the judgment, causing definite uncertainty.

“After careful consideration and wide consultations with leaders and stakeholders across the country, it has become clear that our efforts to restore stability have not yielded the desired results. At this point, I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the People’s Democratic Party PDP for the important role it has played in our collective political journey.’

He said that the party has been a platform through which they have served, grown, and contributed meaningfully to the development of the nation.

“We remain grateful for this history and the opportunities provided. As responsible leaders, we cannot allow our people to be left out without a credible and effective political platform. Our duty is to provide clarity and direction, at the same time make sure that the opportunities provided to all of us are not diminished.

“Consequently, and after extensive consultation, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied People’s Movement (APM). Let me be clear here, this decision is guided by one overriding objective, to secure victory in both the state and country to serve our people with purpose and integrity.

“The APM offers us a viable platform to organise effectively, mobilise our supporters, and present a coherent and credible alternative to the people. We have carried out due diligence and it is not infected by any legal virus that will serve as an impediment, unless it is manufactured after we have joined.”

Mohammed said that the party remains the most credible party and announced that members of the board of the executive council have already resigned their positions, having indicated interest in contesting for various elective offices.

Appreciating his former party, he said “We love you because we are PDP at heart, but we had to leave you in order to go and make sure we carry on with the struggle. We cannot be diminished. We cannot be conquered. We will continue to raise the torch of democracy so that we can provide good governance for this country.

To ensure a seamless and lawful transition, he said that they have put in place clear measures. One, the establishment of a compliance committee to guide all actions in line with legal and electoral requirements. Two, the commencement of an online membership registration process.

The constitution of a committee to interface with the Independent National Electoral Commission with regard to transparency. And lastly, the launch of a coordinated mobilization effort to build strong grassroots support across the state. Let me reassure the people of both states that this decision is not born out of uncertainty.

The National Chairman of APM, Yusuf Ahmed Dantalle, commended the governor for choosing the party which he said is free from litigation and crisis. According to him, the Party welcomed the governor and his team and promised to work with them.