Speaking during an interview on a national television programme, Governor Bala emphasized that the opposition party has many competent leaders capable of steering Nigeria in the right direction. According to him, the PDP remains united and ready to provide credible alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While dismissing current speculations about a possible Seyi Makinde/Bala Mohammed ticket in 2027, he admitted that the party has “many pairing options that can match, and even do better than, the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.”
“It depends on what Nigerians want. If they want the continuation of this clueless administration, then it is their choice,” Bala stated.
He, however, acknowledged the credentials of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, stressing that both of them, as well as many other PDP leaders, have proven their capacity at the subnational level.
On zoning and religious balance, the Bauchi governor made it clear that the PDP will not repeat what he described as the APC’s “mistake” of fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket. He insisted that for 2027, the PDP is committed to inclusiveness and national balance.
“PDP is open. It is for the South to bring a candidate. We need a Christian from the South as our presidential flagbearer, who can then pair with a Muslim vice president from the North. That is the only way to avoid the cul-de-sac APC put the country in with its 2023 decision,” he explained.
Governor Bala also reflected on the 2023 general elections, noting that the APC’s ticket, which ignored Nigeria’s religious diversity, still resonates negatively in the polity. He argued that such political choices should never be encouraged going forward.
The PDP chieftain concluded by reaffirming his loyalty to the party’s democratic processes, stressing that “whoever emerges as candidate will enjoy my full backing.”
