Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi was absent on Wednesday when the factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, hosted an emergency meeting with the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.
Details of the meeting were unclear as at the time of filing this report, but there were indications that the opposition figures were exploring options and strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Present at the meeting were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator David Mark, former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Aliyu Babangida, Peter Obi, Liyel Imoke, Aminu Tambuwal, and Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso,
Others were former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, Professor Jerry Gana, Tunde Ogbeha, Bolaji Abdullahi, Ini Ememmobong among others.
Bauchi governor and chairman of the opposition PDP Governor’s Forum, Bala Mohammed was however absent, a situation that affirmed his rumoured plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This medium reports that the move has currently divided the APC Bauchi chapter.
The sharp division was noticed during the party’s caucus’ meeting held in Abuja, where members expressed discordant views on the political and structural implications of the governor’s proposed defection.
But while addressing newsmen after about three hours closed-door meeting, Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, described the meeting as “mere solidarity” to the leadership of the ADC, saying: “You saw what has been happening lately and here we are advocating for a clean democratic space going forward.”
Makinde, one of the two sitting governors of the PDP was a key member of the then G-5 governors.
This latest development was coming a few hours after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a rally in Abuja, protesting the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the Mark-led faction.
For the record, it was the first time a mega opposition would be meeting like this as a way of escaping their current political conundrum.
