After Losing Kwankwaso, APC Moves To Stop Mohammed Joining ADC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to stop Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), days after Kano political strongman Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso joined the ADC.

Kwankwaso, who joined the ADC a few days ago, has seen the profile of the party rise, as former governorship candidates and other top APC and NNPP bigwigs have also joined the party.

But on Wednesday, after Mohammed had hinted on Tuesday that he was leaving the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, accompanied by Kano State Governor Abba, met with Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi in an unscheduled visit.

The meeting was held behind closed doors. None of the parties addressed journalists.

The meeting was not unconnected to moves to stop Mohammed from further boosting the strength of the ADC, which is growing in popularity, especially with the entry of the former Kano governor.

THE WHISTLER reports that Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, hosted a delegation of the ADC led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, where he hinted that he would join the ADC.

He said, “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked. We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the APC, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”

He added that although consultations were ongoing with several political platforms, the ADC had so far emerged as the most acceptable option.

“As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes,” he said.

Mohammed also noted that his camp felt unwelcome in the APC, which influenced their preference for alternative parties.

“We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached, and we tried to get there, but certainly, our antecedents will connect most of the people around us, preferring ADC or other parties to the APC.

“If they open up and say we should come to the APC, we will go, but for now, the preference is to move to the opposition party,” he added.