Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor has reportedly shunned former Vice President and the 2023 Presidential flagbearer of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar ahead of the flag-off of his second term reelection campaign.
Instead, the governor allegedly invites G-5 governors to the event slated for Wednesday.
The G5 governors led by Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Samuel Ortom of Benue who have been battling for the removal of Mr Iyorchia Ayu, PDP national Chairman, vowed not to support Atiku Abubakar.
Governor Bala was defeated by Atiku in last year’s PDP presidential primaries and is now vying for a second term in Bauchi’s number-one office ahead of this year’s March governorship election in the state.
However, the governor had earlier raised concerns in a letter to PDP National Chairman that Atiku’s allies from Bauchi – a former PDP National Chairman Ahmed Mu’azu and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara – are working to thwart his reelection as a punishment for contesting PDP’s presidential ticket against Atiku last year.
‘Bala Must Go’ — Why Bauchi Gov, Others Plan to Exit PDP Presidential Campaign
“I may withdraw from the PCC and feel free to create new measures and strategies that would guarantee the election and re-election of all PDP candidates in Bauchi [sic] and myself if the issues were not resolved,” Bala threatened in the letter.
Capital Post quoted a source familiar with the trend saying that Bala is optimistic the aggrieved G-5 governors would assist his re-election in view of the lingering crisis with the party and the G-5 governors under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, would fly to Bauchi on Wednesday.
“As I speak with you, the G-5 governors are ready to attend Bala Mohammed’s campaign flag-off in Bauchi. All arrangements have been concluded, and I can confirm that for you. Except any new development comes up which I do not envisage, the governors will be in Bauchi.”
He hinted that Bala Mohammed would likely join Wike’s camp in Ibadan Oyo State capital for governor Oluseyi’s campaign flag-off on Thursday.
Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Bala’s media aide could not respond to WikkiTimes as phone calls and text message sent to him were not attended to, as of press time.
