Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State is set to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)on Tuesday, March 17, after consulting stakeholders of the ruling party, including President Bola Tinubu.

Sources familiar with the move told Politics Nigeria that the switch is almost concluded, following weeks of negotiations involving top figures within the APC.

Should the move be finalised, it will mark a major political shift and further strengthen the ruling party, who have already received bigwigs from other political parties.

Bala Mohammed, who currently serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, has been a prominent voice within the opposition party. His possible exit from the PDP is therefore seen by many observers as a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Insiders disclosed that discussions between the Bauchi governor and APC leaders revolved around political concessions that would shape the future structure of the party in the state.

Part of the understanding reportedly reached includes a power-sharing arrangement that would allow Mohammed’s political camp to control a significant portion of the party structure.

Under the reported arrangement, the governor’s camp is expected to operate within a 60/40 power-sharing formula with existing APC stakeholders in Bauchi. In addition, he is believed to have secured assurances regarding a future senatorial ticket once his tenure as governor comes to an end.

However, negotiations are said to have stalled on one key demand. Mohammed is pushing for the authority to nominate his successor as governor of Bauchi State. That request has reportedly generated debate among influential figures within the APC.

Sources say President Bola Tinubu is cautious about conceding full control of the party structure in the state to any individual. The president is said to prefer that the party structure remains under the broader control of the APC leadership, considering the strategic political importance of Bauchi State.

Bauchi is regarded as politically sensitive due to the number of influential figures from the state who are also believed to have governorship ambitions. Among them are the Minister of Health, Ali Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and oil and gas professional Bala Wunti, who is also said to be eyeing the state’s top political office.

Despite the unresolved issue surrounding the nomination of his successor, preparations for Mohammed’s defection ceremony are reportedly ongoing. Party leaders and political stakeholders are expected to attend the event once the move is formally announced.

If the governor eventually joins the APC, the ruling party’s tally of state governors will rise further, tightening its grip on political power nationwide. The development could also deepen the crisis currently rocking the opposition PDP.