Selfish Bauchi politicians opposing Gov Mohammed’s defection to APC – Party chieftain

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Selfish Bauchi politicians opposing Gov Mohammed’s defection to APC – Party chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Aliyu Ilelah, has said that only self-centred politicians who do not want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2027 general election would oppose Governor Bala Mohammed’s purported move to defect to the APC.

Ilelah, flanked by hundreds of supporters, stated this on Wednesday while addressing reporters in Bauchi.

He was reacting to a caucus meeting of APC stalwarts led by Senator Samaila Dahuwa, representing Bauchi North, which opposed the move to admit the Bauchi State governor into the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He described the caucus’ position as curious and driven by bitterness and personal interests rather than the collective success of the APC.

“It is disrespectful to the leadership of the party and Mr President. While the President and the APC national leadership are reaching out to the governor, the so-called caucus is on the other hand trying to close the door against a sitting governor. The party does not belong to them alone,” Ilelah said.

He alleged that members of the caucus were pursuing personal interests, noting that some of them had moved from one party to another after losing primaries, while others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC without consulting stakeholders.

Ilelah warned that the caucus should not endanger President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid through what he described as self-serving and politically suicidal decisions.

According to him, the majority of APC supporters in Bauchi State want Governor Mohammed to join the party and are ready to support him.

He added that the governor could become one of President Tinubu’s strongest electoral assets, not only in Bauchi State but beyond.

“We love and endorse President Tinubu’s second-term bid, and it is paradoxical for a few caucus members to attempt to block a sitting governor who could strengthen the party’s chances in the elections,” he said.

He further argued that any political party would welcome a sitting governor with a large political structure, including commissioners, local government chairmen, advisers, supporters and well-wishers.

Ilelah said the decision of the caucus exposes what he described as a growing disconnect between its members and the people, as well as the President’s national vision.

He warned that any political strategy that alienated Bauchi’s sitting governor would be short-sighted and dangerous to the party’s national interest.

He also commended President Tinubu’s inclusive political approach, citing alignments across states such as Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau as examples of bridge-building efforts within the party.

Describing the caucus’ actions as a “dangerous contradiction,” Ilelah questioned their political maturity and loyalty to the party’s national leadership.

He, however, urged Governor Mohammed to remain patient and join the APC, assuring that the majority of party members in Bauchi are ready to give him a rousing welcome.