Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be careful and avoid internal collapse like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after its primary elections. The warning came during a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mohammed urged the ruling party to watch its back and manage internal disagreements carefully, suggesting that growing party membership and competing interests could lead to instability if not properly handled.
The governor compared the APC’s growing size to the PDP, which he said “expanded and ultimately exploded, not imploded.” He emphasized that internal party discipline and careful management of post-primary tensions are critical to preventing fragmentation.
“The APC will need to watch their backs after the primaries, as they are growing larger, much like the PDP,” he said. “The PDP expanded and ultimately exploded, not imploded.”
His comments reflect ongoing concerns about political parties in Nigeria struggling to manage internal divisions, particularly after primaries, when competition for nominations and leadership positions can create factions.
Governor Mohammed has been in the spotlight for his disagreements with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over leadership positions in the PDP. Despite these tensions, he insisted he does not feel isolated within his party.
“I do not feel lonely because I understand my state, and my intention is to stay back and observe how elections are won at the polling booth. Elections are won locally, not nationally,” Mohammed said.
The statement highlights his belief that strong grassroots political organization is key to winning elections, rather than relying solely on national-level influence.
The closed-door meeting with President Tinubu came amid heightened political activity as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. While details of their discussion were not fully disclosed, Mohammed indicated that the meeting included talks about national politics, party management, and strategies to ensure stability within the APC.
Mohammed’s warning reflects broader concerns in Nigerian politics about how parties handle internal competition. In the past, the PDP has faced repeated crises, with disagreements among governors, party officials, and aspirants leading to defections and weakened party cohesion.
Observers say that the APC, like the PDP before it, must carefully manage post-primary disagreements and avoid sidelining key stakeholders, or risk internal divisions that could affect its performance in national elections.
“Internal party democracy and fairness in managing primaries are essential to sustaining party unity,” said a political analyst in Abuja. “Ignoring grassroots dynamics or letting factions fester can lead to situations like those previously seen in the PDP.”
Governor Mohammed also stressed the importance of local-level engagement in elections. He argued that winning elections begins at the grassroots and that national-level influence alone is insufficient.
“Elections are won locally, not nationally,” he reiterated, underlining the need for parties to prioritize community engagement, candidate selection, and conflict management within states.
Mohammed’s comments may signal caution to the APC leadership and other political actors ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that such statements serve both as advice and as a reminder of the fragility of party structures if internal tensions are not addressed.
