Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed says he is ready to serve as vice-presidential candidate to Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde in 2027 if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) adopts such a ticket.
Speaking on Channels Television, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum said the party had learnt tough lessons from its 2023 loss and would prioritize unity and fairness.
He stressed that personal ambition would not stand in his way. “If the party and our presidential candidate from the South choose me, I am ready. If not, I will support whoever emerges,” he said.
Mohammed admitted that PDP’s decision to throw its ticket open in 2023 hurt its chances. “We lost because consensus was ignored. The presidency should not be about individual ambition,” he noted, adding that the party had now resolved to zone the 2027 ticket to the South.
On reports of a possible Makinde–Mohammed ticket, the Bauchi governor said no formal discussion had taken place but did not dismiss the idea. “If the party decides so, I am ready. What matters is presenting a credible candidate who can defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
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He insisted that the PDP must avoid repeating APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket of 2023. According to him, a southern Christian should fly the party’s flag with a northern Muslim deputy to reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
Mohammed also revealed that the PDP was reaching out to prominent figures, including former president Goodluck Jonathan and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, to widen its options. He said he had assured Jonathan of his support if he chose to run.
Addressing concerns from northern PDP members unhappy with zoning, he explained that the decision was about equity, not exclusion. “Some supporters were not pleased, but leadership requires sacrifice,” he said.
Confident about the party’s chances, Mohammed argued that a Makinde–Mohammed ticket could match or even surpass Tinubu and Shettima. He cited his own experience as senator, minister, and governor, alongside Makinde’s record in Oyo, as proof of capacity.
“I am not desperate,” he concluded. “If Makinde or any other candidate emerges, I will give full support. What matters is winning and delivering good governance from 2027.”
