ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reacted to the rumours of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah’s imminent defection from the PDP, saying that Mbah has not formally communicated any intention to leave the party.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday in Abuja, governor Mohammed said Mbah remains a respected colleague and has not indicated any plan to defect.
“Actually, governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is a personal decision. We cannot remove his picture before he leaves. When he leaves, we will replace him with another person. Up till now, he has not told me he’s leaving,” he said.
Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP National Convention Publicity and Communication Subcommittee, dismissed speculations about Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalty to the PDP, describing him as a steadfast member who had endured immense challenges in office.
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“He has not left the party; he is still PDP. Everybody has his own style. He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in,” the Bauchi governor noted.
Despite recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed expressed optimism that the PDP would remain resilient and emerge victorious in the 2027 general elections.
“If you ask me whether I’m concerned about our governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes,” he explained.
He accused the APC-led federal government of employing coercive tactics to weaken the opposition and turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything,” he alleged.
Mohammed, however, maintained that defections would not derail the PDP’s resurgence, stressing that most Nigerians at the grassroots level remained loyal to the party.
“Even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections.
“Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations. But I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division,” he said.
The governor disclosed that more defections might occur, including from lawmakers in Bauchi State, but insisted that the PDP’s structure there remained intact.
“Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP. Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed emphasised that the PDP had laid the foundation for most of Nigeria’s measurable achievements and remained the only credible platform for national renewal.
“Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes. By the grace of God, if we stand firm, we will deliver. Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable, and here we are. That’s what will play out in 2027,” he affirmed.
Addressing concerns about internal disputes and litigation ahead of the party’s convention, Mohammed said the leadership was working hard to resolve all issues threatening its stability.
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“I cannot speak for the National Working Committee, but as a leader within the party, I know they are doing their best to address issues of litigations. Many are artificially created to undermine us, but we don’t have any faction in the PDP,” he said.
He noted that while some individuals had approached the courts to stop the PDP’s convention, the party remained more organised and united than most opposition parties.
“Comparatively, most of the other parties are not better off than us. We are better off than most opposition parties. We are the only ones intact, with one National Secretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary. This meeting gives hope that at the end of the day, we will deliver,” he said.
Commenting on rumours of a possible 2027 presidential bid involving former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mohammed said the PDP remained open to welcoming prominent figures back into its fold.
“People are still interested in this party, and these big names being associated with us make us happy. As governors, we have resolved to put personal interests aside. We are united and will come up with leadership that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock, inshallah,” he declared.
Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, and expressed confidence that visionary leaders would emerge from the party in 2027 to defeat what he described as the APC’s “deceptive” politics.
“If somebody goes, just like a bird, they go, they come. Please don’t blame anybody at the governor’s level; we are doing our best, but it is beyond our control,” he said.