ENUGU, NIGERIA (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has formally ended its realignment talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) after both sides failed to reach an agreement on key conditions guiding a proposed political alliance.
The decision was announced on Saturday by the Bauchi State PDP Chairman, Sama’ila Burga, during a press briefing held at the party’s secretariat in the state.
Burga disclosed that despite a series of high-level engagements involving Governor Bala Mohammed, party leaders, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three former governors, the APC failed to meet the conditions set by the PDP.
“We wish to clarify that the initiative for these discussions came from the APC. His Excellency graciously responded out of respect for the eminent personalities involved and in keeping with his commitment to dialogue and inclusiveness. The Governor, the PDP, and the people of Bauchi State participated in the engagements in good faith,” he said.
Addressing one of the contentious issues, Burga confirmed that the widely discussed 60-40 power-sharing formula formed part of the conditions rejected by the APC.
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“The issue of 60-40 sharing formulas does not emanate only from Bauchi State. Everywhere in the country where there was defection, this sharing formula was adopted; some were even 70-30. Because it would be wrong for a governor coming with a government, from councillors to himself, without having any control of the party, as such, this was the standard, but it was rejected,” he stated.
According to him, extensive consultations with PDP stakeholders revealed that the APC leadership was unwilling to concede to the proposed terms, leading to a stalemate and eventual collapse of the talks.
He added that with no conclusive outcome from the negotiations, the PDP in Bauchi State has officially discontinued all discussions with the APC.
On the party’s next move, Burga said the PDP, in consultation with Governor Mohammed and other critical stakeholders, is now weighing alternative political options, including possible alliances with other parties.
He stressed that any decision taken would be guided by the best interest of the people of Bauchi State.