…Says Fubara is still in PDP, he is my deputy
Amidst growing concerns over Governors leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has assured that better materials will emerge to replace those defecting from the party
Mohammed, who is also the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, stated this on Saturday in Abuja, while speaking on the party’s preparations for the November 15 and 16 elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State
Mohammed noted that the party is deeply concerned at the rate at which Governors elected on the party’s platform are leaving to join the APC.
Also speaking on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Mohammed said the Governor is still with the PDP
” 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. Certainly, he is still in PDP, and to me, he is still my deputy.”
Mohammed who also spoke on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s plans ahead of the 2027 election, assured that such ” big politicians” are welcome, adding that “People are still interested in this party, and these big names being associated with us make us happy”
This came ahead of the planned movement into the ruling party on Tuesday by Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State, just few months after the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Delta States abandoned the party to join the ruling party
“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.
“This defection would have been more devastating at the onset, but we have been talking and discussing.
Mohammed who is also the head of the Publicity sub committee for the convention, blamed the development on ” the leadership style 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.
“I cannot say that my colleagues are wrong; they are free to do whatever they choose. But I have been advising them that 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. I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues, but I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division.
“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, and the issue is PDP because Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP. Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes.
He however assured that the party will continue to deliver, if members stand firm .
“Nobody stops you from leaving, so that you can create another space for others to come around for governance.
” Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable, and here we are. That’s what will play out in 2027.
*I am optimistic that we will get a new set of leaders in 2027 who will defeat the deceptive style of the APC by coming up with true leaders who will listen to Nigerians and address their challenges by the grace of God.
“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 assured that the party is addressing the issues of threats to the party’s convention squarely.
” Comparatively, most of the other parties are not better off than us. We are better off than most opposition parties. Some don’t even have leadership at the national level. We are the only ones intact—with one National Secretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary.
He also noted that the PDP remains the only party with stable national leadership despite efforts to destabilise it.
” As a big party with a history since 1999, still with the same logo, colors, manifesto, and leadership, we should commend the National Working Committee for doing well despite limitations.
