By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pushed back against speculation that he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that he is in no rush to leave the platform despite internal turbulence within the opposition party.

Speaking with journalists, the governor acknowledged that the PDP is facing what he called “existential problems,” but expressed confidence that the challenges can be resolved.

“We have some existential problems within the political space, but as leaders, we try to manage it,” Mohammed said.

His remarks come amid persistent rumors linking him to a possible move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The speculation has intensified in recent weeks as political realignments and defections gather pace ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mohammed moved to reassure his supporters, emphasizing that he remains committed to a collective political direction.

“I want to assure my supporters within the PDP and outside that I will not take them astray. We will make sure we provide a way for all of us,” he said.

Highlighting the fluid nature of politics, the governor hinted at the strategic considerations that shape major political decisions, though he stopped short of confirming any plan to defect.

“Politics is dynamic. We can be anywhere, but certainly we will not be stupid. We are strategic,” he added.

Mohammed’s comments underscore the broader uncertainty within the PDP, which has struggled with internal divisions and leadership disputes since the 2023 general elections. The turmoil has triggered a wave of defections and fueled speculation about further realignments.

While no formal move has been announced, the governor’s remarks appear aimed at steadying his political base and pushing back against the narrative of an imminent departure.

Political observers note that while defections are common in Nigeria’s pre-election season, Mohammed’s emphasis on caution and strategy suggests he is carefully weighing his options rather than acting impulsively.

For now, the governor remains in the PDP, even as speculation about his next political step continues to swirl.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A prominent Islamic scholar in Sokoto has delivered a blistering indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the President of exploiting religious sentiment to secure the presidency in 2023 while abandoning the Muslim community and the Northern region he courted for votes.

Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, a respected academic and cleric, used his Eid-el-Fitr sermon on Friday to launch a scathing critique of the administration, arguing that the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that propelled Tinubu to power was nothing more than a cynical political maneuver devoid of any genuine commitment to Islamic interests or Northern development.

“Tinubu won the 2023 election using the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but today Muslims are suffering under his government,” Prof. Sokoto declared before a congregation in Sokoto. “It is clear he is not governing with the interests of Muslims or Islam in mind.”

The scholar took aim at the core promise implied by the same-faith ticket, asserting that nearly two years into the administration, the North—which delivered overwhelming support for the President—has received neither policy focus nor tangible development in return. He pointedly noted that the President’s priorities lie elsewhere, favoring his political base in the South-West where alliances transcend religious lines.

“The North, which is predominantly Muslim, is not his priority. What he appears to prioritise is Lagos, and even there, his political alliances cut across religious lines,” Prof. Mansur stated.

In a direct challenge to fellow religious leaders who continue to rally support for the President, the professor called for an end to mobilizing voters based on religious sentiment. He insisted that future political advocacy must be anchored in verifiable performance rather than shared faith.

He issued a stark challenge to the President’s defenders, demanding they justify their support with tangible evidence of progress.

“Anyone who wants to campaign for Tinubu should tell Nigerians what he has done—whether in education, healthcare, agriculture, business, the economy, or electricity,” he said. “But if there is nothing to point to, then Nigerians should be free to explore other options in the hope of finding relief.”

The cleric’s remarks have reignited a fierce debate over the role of faith in Nigeria’s electoral politics, a conversation that has grown increasingly volatile since the Muslim-Muslim ticket shattered traditional religious balancing norms during the 2023 general elections.

Democracy is defined as a Government by the people,of the people and for the people.It is also regarded as a game of numbers in which the majority carries the day.

Zaria West in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State comprising Unguwar Juma, Unguwar Fatika and Limanci wards are the most densely populated parts of the Local Government Area,and have been coexisting peacefully with all the other parts of the city.

However, recently an uproar emanated from some youths in the area during which they complained about the way and manner elective positions and Government appointments are being made, especially concerning Zaria Local Government Area.

They complained that since the return of democracy in the country the area had always been marginalized in terms of appointments and elective positions in both the state and federal levels.

One of the concerned Youths,Malam Hassan Musa Kofar Kuyanbana, observed that despite the fact that Zaria West is rich in human resources such as intellectuals, civil servants both serving and retired,no member of the community had ever been appointed as Commissioner or even an SA, SSA by past and present governments.

Kofar Kuyanbana said the area had for long supported and cooperated in the emergence of candidates from the other areas who had held positions for many years,but that now the area is longing to produce candidate for either the State House of Assembly seat or the House of representatives slot,it is not getting the necessary support.

Another Youth, Sani Musa,alleged that the area is being marginalized in terms of provision of infrastructure and appointments, especially by the Kaduna State Government.

Another stakeholder, Iliyasu Marmara, expressed concern that Zaria West is being neglected even in projects execution, alleging that the only major road that passed through Kofar kuyanbana, Unguwar iya,Durumin Mai Garke to Babban Dodo was kept in view, while other projects in other parts of the town continued to be executed.

Marmara said he was particularly disturbed by the the State Government’s concentrating of appointments in one Ward, to the detriment of other Wards, describing it as “unfair and unfortunate.”

According to him, Zaria West is capable of producing any person to be appointed to any position in both the state and federal levels, as the area is blessed with abundance of serving and retired civil servants that could fill any available posts.

Marmara, however, commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, for facilitating the appointments of two indigenes of the area as Chief Executive Officers(CEOs) of National Water Resources Institute and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology,Zaria,and asked for more of such offers, especially federal board appointments so as “to balance the equation.”

The concerned Youths, therefore,urged the relevant authorities to address their grievances with a view to rectifying the lopsidedness to enable them to continue to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the country.