Olusegun Olanrewaju
With preparations for governorship high in the gear in Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed, appears to be making moves to dump his erstwhile mentor, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Reports yesterday said the Bauchi Governor has invited the G5 governors to flag off his campaign for a second term, but with echoes of a running battle, he has in the kitty with Atiku further wafting in the airwaves.

The G5 (re-christened, Integrity Group) are governors within the ranks of the leading opposition party opposed to former vice president, Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid this year.

The state governors are Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

Mohammed is yet to openly declare his membership of the G5 governors, but he has accused Atiku and his loyalists of working to frustrate his re-election.

In a letter to the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, Mohammed had accused Atiku of threatening to punish him for contesting against him during the party’s presidential primary in May 2022.

He stated, “I may withdraw from the PCC (Atiku’s Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC), and feel free to create new measures and strategies that would guarantee the election and re-election of all PDP candidates in Bauchi and myself if the issues were not resolved.”

Meanwhile, observers have raised fears and doubts as to whether a failure to resolve the lingering crisis would only cause many to believe that Mohammed has now turned to the G-5 governors for support in his re-election bid.

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It was learnt that the G5 governors will fly to Bauchi to flag-off Bala’s campaign billed tomorrow.

A source in one of the daily newspapers was quoted to have said, “As I speak with you, the G-5 governors are ready to attend Bala Mohammed’s campaign flag-off in Bauchi. All arrangements have been concluded, and I can confirm that for you. Unless any new development comes up which I do not envisage, the governors will be in Bauchi.”

The source, a member of the PDP Integrity Group, stated that the governors would move from Bauchi to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to also attend the campaign of one of their members, Governor Seyi Makinde, billed for Thursday.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Oyo State governor, Taiwo Adisa, reportedly said, “Yes, I can confirm to you that all is set for the flag-off of His Excellency’s campaign on Thursday.”

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP has denied knowledge of the G5 governors attending Mohammed’s campaign flag-off.

The state publicity secretary of the party, who is also the spokesman of the campaign committee, Yayanu Zainabari, said, “I cannot give you any assurance about their coming because I don’t have any information of whether they are coming or not.”