2023: Bauchi governor consulted before replacing deputy, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has said that Governor Bala Mohammed consulted his deputy, Baba Tela, and other stakeholders from his region before deciding to change his re-election running mate.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Yayanuwa Zainabari, debunked reports that Mohammed “dumped Baba Tela” for Auwal Jatau as running mate for 2023.

Jatau had, on Sunday, announced that the governor chose him as his new running mate. But the party said Jatau was quoted out of context.

“There is nowhere in the story that he said that the governor dumped his deputy. It is the imagination of mischief from political actors,” the party stated, yesterday.

Zainabari urged political actors to channel their energy towards supporting the present administration, instead of pitting Tela against the governor.

“The issue of changing the deputy governor in the 2023 election was a decision reached by the governor and stakeholders from Bauchi North Senatorial District. The incumbent deputy governor is enjoying the cordial relationship between him and the governor.

“So, heating up the polity is unnecessary. People are trying to create confusion where it shouldn’t be. It is still the same family. The governor and his deputy are on good terms; they talk regularly and sometimes take decisions together. Let us be fair to the two political leaders that we have and stop trying to create confusion among them,” he said.

According to Zainabari, there is destiny in all aspects of human life, and whatever happened is with the consent of all stakeholders, as Jatau will be unveiled when campaigns start.