The Bauchi State caucus of the All Progressives Congress has rejected moves to admit Governor Bala Mohammed into the party.

The caucus made its position known during a briefing on Tuesday night following a meeting held in Abuja.

The development comes after Mohammed reportedly disclosed plans on March 31, 2026, to defect to the African Democratic Congress.

This followed a visit by the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, to the Bauchi Government House, where they held a closed-door meeting with him.

Although the parties did not address journalists after the meeting, sources indicated that the visit may have been aimed at persuading the governor to reconsider his reported plan to join the ADC and instead align with the APC.

Speaking after the caucus meeting, the senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and Chairman of the Bauchi APC caucus, Sama’ila Dahuwa, said members unanimously resolved to reject Mohammed’s proposed admission into the party.

According to him, the caucus, after exhaustive deliberations, “unequivocally rejects” the move.

The caucus expressed concern that Mohammed had consistently made public statements critical of President Bola Tinubu, as well as the APC, including remarks perceived to undermine the party’s unity and integrity.

It noted that the governor had neither retracted such statements nor made any formal reconciliation efforts or public apology to the party leadership and members.

“In view of the foregoing, the caucus firmly holds that his admission into the APC at this time will be detrimental to the party’s cohesion, credibility, and electoral prospects in Bauchi State,” Dahuwa stated.

The caucus further declared that it would not support any move capable of compromising the party’s stability and political fortunes.

It also criticised what it described as a failure to consult critical stakeholders within the Bauchi APC on matters of such political importance, describing the omission as inconsistent with the principles of internal democracy and inclusiveness.

The caucus said it would formally communicate its position to the party’s national leadership and demand strict adherence to due process and established party structures.

Meanwhile, indications suggest that Mohammed has slowed down on his planned defection to the ADC following his meeting with APC leaders.

He has reportedly been holding consultations with loyalists and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State.

It was gathered that at a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 4, 2026, the PDP in the state constituted an exit committee to review its political future amid growing speculation over a possible defection by the governor.

The Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Samaila Burga, confirmed that the committee was set up to assess available options and explore the possibility of exiting the party as part of a broader political realignment.

He said the committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, includes representatives from the National Assembly, State Assembly, commissioners, party executives, and local government chairmen.

Burga added that the committee would consult widely before presenting its recommendations at a subsequent stakeholders’ meeting, where a final decision on the party’s political direction in the state would be taken. (PUNCH)