In a move that has reshaped early calculations for the 2027 elections, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has officially withdrawn from the presidential race.
The governor made the announcement shortly after returning from Abuja, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) ratified the zoning of the presidential ticket to the South.
Speaking on his decision, Bala Mohammed said his withdrawal was a demonstration of loyalty to the PDP’s zoning arrangement and a commitment to unity and justice within the party.
“What is most important to me is unity and peace within the PDP and the country as a whole. I agree to give the South a chance, for justice and democratic progress,” he declared.
The PDP’s NEC resolution effectively rules out Northern contenders like Mohammed, who had been seen as a strong prospect within the party. Despite having received nationwide support, the governor stressed that fairness and inclusivity must take precedence.
“I have received immense encouragement from friends and supporters nationwide, but I believe in the greater good. Justice must prevail, and every region must have its moment at the helm,” he added.
He called on PDP members to embrace the decision with “strength and resolve,” urging them to unite ahead of the 2027 elections.
Analysts say Mohammed’s withdrawal could boost the PDP’s chances in the South, strengthen its appeal ahead of the national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, and reinforce the party’s long-standing tradition of rotational leadership.
As the 2027 race gathers momentum, the PDP’s internal cohesion and adherence to zoning principles may prove decisive in its quest to reclaim national power.
