There seems to be a ray of hope for Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed after losing big at the People’s Demoractic Party (PDP) presidential primaries.
Ibrahim Kashim, the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), had won the party’s governorship ticket while governor Bala chased his presidential ambition in futile, however.
The governor would later be soothe in an instance where Kashim renounced his interest to fly the party’s flag, despite his unchallenging victory at the primary elections in the previous week.
WikkiTimes understands the development was a pact between the duo, owing to its earlier report.
Recall that WikkiTimes exposed how the former SSG, “secretly resigned” his position and got cleared by PDP to contest for the gubernatorial seat in the state. Though, Kashim however refuted the report.
Confirming his withdrawal yesterday, Kashim said “I know that if the governor didn’t win the PDP presidential ticket, I will definitely step down for him to allow him to continue his work. I have already submitted my withdrawal letter.”
Perhaps, governor Bala had envisioned his failure in the primary, prior to time. Earlier this years, WikkiTimes reported his determination, as a guber aspirant, to also contest presidency.
He cited the Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as the pioneer of the model.
READ: How I Can Aspire To Be President And Still Retains My Governorship Ticket – Bala Mohammed
In 2019, Tambuwal as a sitting governor, pioneered the model when he ran for presidency without losing his governorship ticket.
“But certainly, we have to manage the two together. I told my brother and colleague that you should not be happy to send me forth so that you can take over the governorship,” said governor Bala. “I am going to do the two together as Matawallen Sokoto. I am going to test it and I am not going to give somebody who will not give me back when I come back.”
Governor Bala became fifth in the just concluded PDP presidential election where he walked home with 20 votes.
Now that the governor has returned to claim the guber ticket, the party is “expected to conduct a fresh primary or select another flagbearer through affirmation as required by its constitution and electoral laws then forward the name of his replacement to INEC for proper documentation”, Yayanuwa Zainabari, Bauchi PDP Publicity Secretary said, contending that Kashim’s relinquishment was his personal reasons.
Babaji Usman Babaji is an investigative journalist with over four years of experience, renowned for his impactful reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and holding those in power accountable in Nigeria.
His career is distinguished by participation in numerous media training programs and conferences, which have honed his investigative and reporting skills. Babaji’s data-driven stories have made a significant impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria, shedding light on critical issues and driving meaningful change.
As a reporter under WikkiTimes’ Collaborative Media (CMEDIA) Project, Babaji has led several groundbreaking investigations. He was a 2022 fellow of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and a 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa DPI/DPG fellow. His contributions to accountability journalism earned him a Certificate of Recognition from Xchange Hama Media for impactful community work.
