Negotiations between Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have collapsed, with indications that the governor may now explore other political alliances ahead of future elections.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the chairman of the Turaki-led PDP faction in Bauchi State, Samaila Adamu Burga, while briefing journalists in Bauchi.
Burga said discussions with the APC, which were facilitated through political intermediaries, failed after both sides could not agree on key conditions for a possible defection or realignment.
According to him, the APC was unwilling to accept a proposed 60/40 power-sharing arrangement that would have allowed the governor’s structure significant control within the party in Bauchi State.
“The APC had shown that it is not ready to accommodate our party structure and government,” Burga said.
He explained that the talks were initiated through the National Chairman of the faction and involved engagements with key political actors, including visits to Governor Bala Mohammed aimed at persuading him to join the APC.
However, he said the negotiations broke down after the APC rejected the terms put forward.
“This is how it has been done in other places where governors defected to APC. They rejected this formula and we have closed that discussion,” he added.
Burga noted that the discussions were concluded after extensive consultations with PDP stakeholders, adding that it had become clear the conditions for the political realignment were not acceptable to the APC leadership.
“In light of this, we want to announce that the discussions have not yielded a conclusive outcome and are hereby formally discontinued,” he said.
He further stated that while the APC talks had ended, consultations were ongoing with other political interests, as the governor and his supporters weigh their next political move.
“All doors are open for discussion except the APC. We are not specific on where we want to go but definitely we are going somewhere where our people would have comfort and contest elections,” Burga said.
He added that the final decision would be taken after further consultations with stakeholders across the state.
Political observers say the collapse of the talks may reshape alignments in Bauchi State ahead of future elections, as parties position themselves for potential defections and coalition-building.
