Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on July 24, 2025, lambasted members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defecting to a newly formed opposition coalition as an “aberration” that undermines party unity.
Speaking at a state assembly session, Mohammed criticized the move by five PDP lawmakers who joined the coalition, comprising the Labour Party, ADC, and others, to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2027. He accused them of disloyalty, citing internal PDP reforms as a better path forward.
The governor’s remarks follow the coalition’s launch, which aims to pool 15% of the national vote from the 2023 elections. PDP leadership supports Mohammed’s stance, but the defectors argue the party’s leadership vacuum justifies their shift.
The narrative of betrayal versus strategic realignment splits along party lines, with the coalition’s success dependent on reconciling diverse interests, while Mohammed’s condemnation may galvanize PDP loyalists but risks alienating moderates.