Why Bauchi governor discontinue defection to APC

Picture of Burga and PDP officials

From; Ahmad Saka,Bauchi-

The discussions over the planned defection of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has collapsed following disagreements over a proposed power-sharing formula and payment of Federal Government projects executed by the Bauchi Government.

The State Chairman of the PDP Alhaji Sama’ila Burga, said this today when he addressed Journalists in Bauchi. He said "the APC had shown it was not ready to accommodate the PDP structure and the state government".

Burga who is the chairman of PDP under Tanimu Turaki said " after extensive consultations with PDP stakeholders and careful consideration, it became clear that the conditions collectively advanced for such a political realignment were not accepted by the APC leadership. In light of this, we want to announce that the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued".

He said " we appreciate the outreach and engagement by the APC, we wish to state unequivocally that the process has now been brought to a close. Consequently, the PDP in Bauchi State, in consultation with His Excellency and other critical stakeholders, is actively considering all available political options and political parties other than the APC, in order to determine the most suitable path forward in line with the aspirations and best interests of the people of Bauchi State".

The governor and his supporters have, however, declared their openness to align with other political parties, noting that plans are underway to consider fresh options for possible defection from the ward to the state level.

Burga disclosed that the APC initiated talks through the governor, involving its national leadership of the Party and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who visited Bauchi to persuade the Governor to join the party.

He said the discussions, however, stalled after the APC failed to agree to the 60–40 sharing formula, which he noted had been adopted in similar defections in other states.

“This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion. You cannot expect a government bringing its structure from ward level to the state not to have control of the party,” 

Chairman said the decision to discontinue was reached following recent engagements between His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) concerning an invitation to the Governor, PDP members, and elected officials in Bauchi State including members of the National Assembly, the Bauchi State House of Assembly, and Local Government Councils to consider joining the APC, for that we consider it appropriate to provide a brief update to the good people of Bauchi State.

He clarified that the initiative for these discussions came from the APC. His Excellency graciously responded out of respect for the eminent personalities involved and in keeping with his commitment to dialogue and inclusiveness. The Governor, the PDP, and the people of Bauchi State participated in the engagements in good faith.

Burga assured that they remain committed to responsible leadership, inclusive governance, and the continued progress of our dear State.