Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and loyalists of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State have trooped to streets of Bauchi to embrace the Allied People’s Movement (APM), following the governor’s defection to the party.

Mohammed had on Saturday announced his defection from PDP where he chaired governors in the party for about two years. Mohammed said that he left his party due to circumstances he could not manage but has the party at heart.

He said after extensive consultation, he and his supporters have taken a firm and strategic decision to join APM. Saying that the decision was guided by an overriding objective, to secure victory in both the state and country to serve the people with purpose and integrity.

“The APM offers us a viable platform to organise effectively, mobilise our supporters, and present a coherent and credible alternative to the people. We have carried out due diligence and it is not infected by any legal virus that will serve as an impediment, unless it is manufactured after we have joined,” he said.

While speaking during a reception rally on Monday, the Director-General/National Leader of Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Vanguard (BAMV), Mohammed Abubakar Jibo, described the governor as a selfless leader who never traded his loyalists for his selfish interests.

“We throw our weight behind the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed over his political re-alignment and meticulous defection to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

“It is important to state that the decision of His Excellency to take the bull by the horn was born out of patriotism, sincerity and honesty of purpose as well as his political dexterity and desire for continued effective governance and sustainable development of Bauchi State beyond 2027,” he said. (The Guardian)