A caucus of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State has opposed reports that the party’s national leadership plans to admit Governor Bala Mohammed, warning that the move could weaken party unity and affect its electoral prospects.
The group pointed to the governor’s previous criticisms of policies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that his remarks have caused division and acrimony.
Speaking Tuesday night after a meeting in Abuja, the caucus chairman and Sama’ila Dahuwa, senator representing Bauchi North, said the group had unanimously rejected the proposed admission of Mohammed into the party.
“The caucus, after exhaustive deliberations, unequivocally rejects the move,” he said.
The caucus expressed concern that Mohammed had consistently engaged in public attacks against President Tinubu and the APC, including statements perceived to undermine the party’s unity and integrity.
“Till today, he has neither retracted such statements nor made any formal efforts aimed at reconciliation with the leadership and members of the party. He has offered no public apology to our knowledge.
“In view of the foregoing, the caucus firmly holds that his admission into APC at this time will be detrimental to the party’s cohesion, credibility and electoral prospects in Bauchi State,” the group stated.
The caucus further declared that it would not support any move capable of compromising the party’s stability and fortunes.
It also criticised what it described as a failure to consult critical stakeholders within the Bauchi APC on the matter, saying the omission was inconsistent with internal democracy and inclusiveness.
According to the caucus, its position would be formally communicated to the party’s national leadership, with a demand for strict adherence to due process and established structures.
Senator Dahuwa, who represents Bauchi North, previously served as Commissioner for Health under Governor Bala Mohammed before resigning to contest the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He later defected to the APC early last year, citing internal crises within the PDP.