‘We’re resolute’ — Bala Mohammed says Tinubu’s government intimidating PDP governors

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is intimidating governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mohammed, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting.

The Bauchi governor said his colleagues will not back down despite mounting pressure.

“As governors, we have gone through a lot. This dispensation is different under the present administration. There are so many booby traps, innuendos, and political movements that have been done,” he said.

“Today, we have been bombarded by the issue of coalition and a gale of defection that is even affecting some of our members.

“Our members are standing strong and resolute. There is no intimidation that we are not going through.

“There is no caressing or cajoling that members and elected governors are not going through; you may ask any of them. But certainly, we are resolute. We will not abandon the mandate. That is why you can see us here together.”

Mohammed expressed confidence that those who left the PDP would return, noting that it has happened before.

“But we believe this is not the first time people left PDP and came back. I am sure they will come back,” he said.

“As for the other political development, it is a great concern. The BoT chairman has spoken deeply about tolerance and closing ranks. We need to do that with the hindsight that we are the only party standing.”

He said despite the crisis in the PDP, the party is stronger than other parties.

“Other parties have been penetrated. They have factions here and there, and they have members in the national assembly. Some even have governors,” he said.

“But certainly, you would give it to us that we are together united. We have been holding meetings in various states. From Plateau, Taraba, Oyo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bauchi, and this is what keeps the party going.

Mohammed said the PDP governors will remain united irrespective of the “exclusion” from the federal government.

“The governors are united. We are ready to work. No amount of intimidation or exclusion by the federal government will make us give in,” he said.

“And we are ready to tolerate and swallow all the melancholy and abuses that we will get.”

He described the NEC meeting — which had not been held since April 2024 despite the party’s constitution mandating it every three months — as a “triumph of democracy and good governance over the evils we are experiencing in this country”.

Mohammed did not specify the forms of intimidation he was referring to.

However, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, has also hinted at joining the APC.

In March, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

Also speaking at the meeting, Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, said PDP members in the national assembly support the efforts of the national working committee (NWC), NEC, and board of trustees (BoT) to revamp the fortunes of the of the opposition party.

He said while the national assembly has recorded several defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP still remains the “biggest brand”.

“And so, we say that while the defection of very senior members of the party must have a temporary setback, we believe that PDP, with its ideas and ideas, will definitely be the party to beat, even in 2027,” he said.

Moro added that Nigeria deserves an alternative — the PDP to provide “another level of leadership” for the country.