We Can’t Stop Anybody From Leaving PDP – Gov. Bala Mohammed

Ahead of the planned defection of Enugu Governor next Tuesday and the rumour of the possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of his Taraba counterpart, Bauchi Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said on Saturday that the party will not stop anybody from leaving.

Mohammed said the decision to leave the party was a personal decision, saying even though he is concerned about the spate of defections, the leaders of the party were working round the clock to address the issue leading to such actions.

The Governor, who head the Publicity and Communications sub committee for the party’s elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, said a lot was being done behind the scene to reduce the rate of defections.

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to make the country a one party state through intimidation of the opposition, but said the PDP will remain strong and the only democratic Party in the country.

He said the PDP has suffered a lot but continued to wither the storm because it remains the only true and democratic party.

The Governor said: “If you ask me whether I’m concerned about our Governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.

“The defections would have been more devastating. But we have been talking and discussing. You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything.

“I cannot say that my colleagues are wrong. They are free to do whatever they choose. But I have been advising them that even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections.

“Sometimes, it is done because of permutations and calculations. I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues, but I assure you”.

Speaking on whether he also planned to leave the PDP, the Governor said “I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division. Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going.

“They are being cajoled; they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP, and the nation is PDP because Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP. Most of the measurable achievements by the federal government were done by PDP regimes.

“By the grace of God, if we stand firm, we will deliver. Nobody stops you from leaving, so that you can create another space for others to come around and contribute to governance. Some of us who won as governors were not even considered capable, and here we are.

“That is what will play out in 2027. I am optimistic that we will get a new set of leaders in 2027 who will defeat the APC by coming up with true leaders who will listen to Nigerians and address their challenges by the grace of God.

“If somebody goes, it’s just like Barracks. Soldiers go, soldier come. Please don’t blame anybody at the governor’s level; we are doing our best, but it is beyond our control.

“Please, be emboldened. Don’t be disturbed by the defections, by the shenanigans, by all those doubting Thomases. Don’t be disturbed. Yes, you should be encouraged because staying back to fight is what makes a man or a woman. It’s an act of cowardice to leave because of one or two people. You are also men and women of strength and integrity”.

Speaking on the plans for a succeso national Convention and the pockets across the country, the governor said “I cannot speak for the National Working Committee, but as a leader within the party, I know they are doing their best to address issues of litigations. Many are artificially created to undermine us, but we don’t have any faction in the PDP.

“At the state level, I have even seen some people taking us to court not to go for a convention. This is not good and makes some of them at the National Assembly feel unsafe.

“We are addressing these issues squarely. If you check well and comparatively, you will discover that most of the other parties in the opposition are not better off than us. We are better off than most opposition parties. Some don’t even have leadership at the national level. We are the only ones intact—with one National Secretary, one National Chairman, and one Publicity Secretary.

“This meeting gives hope that at the end of the day, we will deliver. As a big party with a history since 1999, still with the same logo, colors, manifesto, and leadership, we should commend the National Working Committee for doing well despite limitations.

“We have to really change the narrative. This is a party to be. We have been suffering a lot as a party. But we have been withering the storm, and we will continue to wither the storm.

“This convention is here to stay. We are going to Ibadan by the grace of God and no Jupiter will stop us. No dark forces will succeed over us. The dark forces — if they succeed over PDP, they have succeeded over Nigeria. We have to change governance style of this country, and this is the beginning. This is the time to do it. We have never suffered as a country as we are suffering today under the APC.

“You have seen what is happening. We don’t have to go into deep melancholy and be crying as whipping boys or girls. We have to do something within the democratic space to change the leadership, to change the nation.

“I was listening to one song when I came in; it was enumerating some of the achievements of the PDP. Since we left office, nobody took over. It was as if there was a vacuum — a void in terms of delivery of democratic dividends.

We have to work hard to inform and sensitize Nigerians.

Speaking on the reported planned defection of Enugu Gov Peter Mbah, who is also the Secretary of the PDP Convention planning Committee, Mohammed said: “Actually, Governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is a personal decision.

“We cannot remove his picture (as Secretary of the convention committee) before he leaves. When he leaves, we will replace him with another person. But up till now, he has not told me he is leaving. I have discussed this issue with him separately, and he has given me assurances. He’s a governor like me. I respect him and his decisions. If he goes, we will replace him”.

Speaking on speculation about the possibility of running for the Presidency on a joint ticket with former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov Mohammed said “People are still interested in this party, and these big names being associated with us make us happy. As Governors, we have resolved to put personal interests aside.

“I have exceeded my personal expectations. I stepped out to be a presidential candidate in the 2023 election, but I stepped down to become a governor. I have done my best and I’m happy. But I am prepared to serve in any capacity I am called upon to serve. But We have removed personal interests. We are united and will come up with leadership that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock, inshallah”.

Speaking on Rivers Governor Sim Fubara who is supposed to be the Deputy Chairman of the Publicity sub committee, he said: “He has not left the party; he is still in PDP. Everybody has his own style. He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in. Certainly, he is still in PDP, and to me, he is still my deputy.”