PDP Defections to APC: Bala Mohammed ‘More Than Concerned’ as Party Bleeds

By: Abudu Olalekan

Bala Mohammed speaks in Abuja

Abuja’s humid air thick with politics. Saturday rolls around, PDP’s Convention Communication Sub-committee just got sworn in. Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed steps up to the mic. He’s the PDP Governors’ Forum chair, you know. And bam—he drops it. “I’m more than concerned” about governors and bigwigs jumping ship to the APC. Ouch.

These defections? They’re hitting hard. Just look. Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno. Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori. Even Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP’s 2023 VP pick. Gone. Poof. To the ruling party. And whispers now? Enugu’s Peter Mbah. Bayelsa’s Douye Diri. Might follow suit before the big National Elective Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. November 15-16. Timing’s everything, right?

Bala’s voice cracks a bit. Leadership’s a burden, he says. Can’t boss colleagues around. They’re equals. But behind closed doors? Non-stop talks. Whew. Saved the party from total collapse early on. APC’s game? Clear. Pushing for a one-party Nigeria. Coercion. Cash. Power. All of it.

Short pause. “I can’t call ’em wrong.” Free choice. But here’s the kicker. Defectors ain’t finding it easier over there. Grassroots? Solid PDP. Folks furious. Permutations. Calculations. That’s why some bolt. Bala won’t bash ’em. No negativity. “I’m staying put,” he vows. Bauchi? Rock-solid PDP. No divisions.

Then, news flash hits him mid-chat. One of his senators? Defecting. “They controlled. Bought.” But state stays PDP. Nigerians crave change. Through PDP. Feds’ wins? Mostly our old regimes.

He urges potential leavers: Go peaceful. Don’t trash the image. Doors swing open for fresh blood. Capable Nigerians waiting. Optimism surges. Convention? It’ll birth real leaders. Challenge APC head-on. Fix woes by 2027.

Internal drama? Bala shrugs. Can’t speak for National Working Committee. But they’re grinding. Litigations? Mostly fake. Sabotage. No factions. PDP intact. State courts blocking convention? Messed up. Scares National Assembly folks. We’re fixing it square.

Compare? We’re golden. Other opposition? Chaos. No national leaders even. Us? One Secretary. One Chairman. One Publicity Sec. Solid.

Big smiles on associations. Goodluck Jonathan. Peter Obi—Labour’s 2023 flagbearer. Atiku Abubakar. David Mark. Dele Momodu. Linking up in that African Democratic Congress coalition vibe. Signals? Nigerians still dig PDP. Enduring love.

Efforts to reel ’em back? Bala grins. “Makes us happy.” Governors? Personal egos aside. He ran for president 2023. Stepped down. Governor now. Exceeded dreams. Content.

United front. Best shot at Aso Rock. PDP’s rising.

Bala’s words linger. Party’s bleeding, sure. But heartbeat strong. Grassroots roar. 2027? Watch out, APC.