Bala Mohammed picks APM nomination form for Bauchi senate bid

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, has purchased the senate nomination form of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) five days after joining the party.

On May 2, Mohammed joined the APM after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the lingering court cases and internal crisis plaguing the party.

He said the APM presents itself as a viable platform without legal battles for him and his supporters to continue their service to the people.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Mohammed, who declared his senatorial ambition last Saturday after leaving the PDP, said he picked the party’s nomination form during the APM national executive committee (NEC) meeting held at the party’s national headquarters.

“During the meeting, I officially picked up my nomination form to contest for the senate seat representing Bauchi south senatorial district under the platform of the APM ahead of the forthcoming elections,” he said.

Mohammed said the NEC meeting, presided over by Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the party’s national chairman, focused on critical national and party matters.

He added that the meeting also afforded him the opportunity to formally familiarise himself with the party’s leadership structure.

The governor said Nigeria’s political landscape has become increasingly challenged by “undemocratic practices and political intimidation”, which, according to him, have been making genuine political participation difficult for many progressive leaders and movements.

He said after wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders and supporters across the country, the APM emerged as the political platform that best aligns with his collective vision and aspirations.

Mohammed said the party shares common values with his political philosophy, particularly in the areas of good governance, internal democracy, justice, inclusiveness and respect for the rule of law.

“I further emphasised that our decision to join the party was driven by conviction and the desire to contribute meaningfully to building a stronger democratic culture in Nigeria,” he said.

The governor also revealed that several political office holders and stakeholders who previously served on the PDP structure in Bauchi have moved with him to the APM.

According to him, members of the national assembly, the Bauchi house of assembly, local government chairmen, commissioners, ward executives, party officials and numerous grassroots supporters have aligned with the new political movement.

Mohammed assured the party leadership of his readiness to contribute resources, experience and political support towards the growth and success of the party.