Bala Mohammed urges PDP to nominate a Southern Christian for 2027, warning against religious imbalance and a repeat of APC’s 2023 backlash
Bala Mohammed urges PDP to field a Southern Christian as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, saying the move would help the party promote unity and avoid the backlash that followed the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the Bauchi State Governor said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must show greater sensitivity to Nigeria’s religious and regional diversity when selecting its presidential ticket.
“We need a Christian from the South to emerge as a presidential candidate, so that he will lead the majority of Christian southerners to come and pick the majority Muslim vice president in the North,” he said.
Bala Mohammed urges PDP not to repeat the “cul-de-sac” strategy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, where a southern Muslim and northern Muslim pairing alienated parts of the electorate and sparked national controversy.
“We don’t want to make the mistake of the APC,” he stated. “That ticket did not take into cognisance our diversity or the feelings of different groups.”
Reacting to speculations that he could form a joint ticket with Governor Seyi Makinde, Mohammed dismissed the notion and insisted that his presidential ambition remains active.
“I’m not withdrawing because I want to prepare myself for the vice presidency,” he said.
“If the party or presidential candidate picks me, I’ll serve. If not, I’ll support whoever emerges from the South.”
Reiterating his stance, Bala Mohammed urges PDP to respect Nigeria’s sociopolitical makeup.
“We’ve not reached a stage in our democracy where religion and ethnicity don’t matter. Any successful ticket must reflect this diversity.”
With internal discussions on zoning and presidential permutations heating up ahead of 2027, Bala Mohammed urges PDP to position itself as a more inclusive and strategic alternative to the ruling APC.
“The party must be open. It’s for the South to bring someone credible. We’re ready to support them,” he added.
Also read: PDP Grassroots Election Strategy will Challenge APC, Says Bala Mohammed
As PDP strategizes for the next general election, the statement Bala Mohammed urges PDP is emerging as a central talking point, shaping discussions about national unity, voter appeal, and religious balance in political leadership.
