Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has formally declared his candidature for the Bauchi South Senatorial seat under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). This declaration was made on Thursday at the Government House, Bauchi, where Governor Mohammed addressed a gathering of supporters and stakeholders. His decision to align with the APM stems from what he described as a collapse of internal stability within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), making continued association with his political group untenable.

In his address, Governor Mohammed commended the APM for providing a robust platform to continue pursuing his vision for sustainable development, economic growth, and the overall wellbeing of the people of Bauchi State. He emphasized that the APM, under his leadership, is committed to upholding democratic principles, pledging that the movement would not engage in electoral malpractice. Furthermore, he vowed that no one would be allowed to manipulate the 2027 general elections in the state using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that all political parties would be afforded a level playing field during the electioneering process.

Mohammed described his political movement as people-oriented and deeply committed to the welfare of the citizens, asserting that their struggle is driven by resilience and a strong faith in democratic participation. He highlighted that the event was not merely a formal declaration but a testament to their resilience, faith in Almighty Allah, and unwavering commitment to the development of Bauchi State despite various political challenges. He also presented Dr. Yakubu Adamu as the APM governorship candidate, describing him as highly capable of sustaining developmental progress in the state, and urged party members to support credible candidates for the State House of Assembly to ensure strong legislative backing for future development programmes.

The Governor further elaborated on his administration’s development blueprint, famously known as “My Bauchi Project,” which forms the foundational pillar of the State Perspective Development Plan 2033. This ambitious plan, developed with crucial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), targets broad-based development across all key sectors of the economy, aiming to harness Bauchi’s vast potential for sustainable growth and progress. Mohammed noted that despite confronting significant challenges such as rapid population growth, climate pressures, substantial infrastructure gaps, and prevailing economic constraints, his administration has recorded considerable progress.

Reaffirming his commitment to good governance and public welfare, Governor Mohammed emphatically stated that his administration would not revert to past eras characterized by “endless verification exercises, hardship for civil servants, disregard for traditional institutions, and poor management of public resources.” He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the APM for welcoming him and his supporters into their fold, assuring them of his full commitment to the party’s electoral success in the upcoming 2027 general elections. He also called upon his supporters to maintain unity and avoid internal divisions, particularly after party congresses and primaries, to ensure a strong and cohesive political front.