Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, the eldest son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar worked against his father’s re-election during the 2023 governorship polls—despite both being members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend, Engr. Bala claimed that Atiku supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, rather than back the PDP’s flag bearer, Governor Mohammed.
“Atiku vehemently worked against my father’s re-election as Bauchi governor in 2023. He mobilised elites who worked against us,” he wrote in response to an X user, Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, who had called for unity between Governor Mohammed and Atiku to resolve internal party tensions.
The younger Bala argued that the 2027 general elections offer an opportunity for his father to “pay back” Atiku for his alleged actions.
He further claimed that reconciliation between both leaders would be difficult because Atiku and his allies do not consider Governor Mohammed and his camp as relevant stakeholders in the PDP.
While no concrete evidence was provided, the comments have reignited tensions within the PDP in Bauchi State and may signal deeper internal fractures ahead of 2027.
In the lead-up to the 2023 election, several PDP powerbrokers reportedly worked against the governor, including former PDP national chairman Ahmed Mu’azu, a known ally and in-law of Atiku, and the former Wazirin Bauchi, Muhammadu Bello Kirfi, who was removed from his traditional title prior to the polls.
As the PDP continues to navigate post-election challenges, calls for unity among its northern power blocs have grown louder—though recent statements suggest those divisions may still be far from healed.
