![L-R: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State. [Facebook/Getty Images]](https://image.api.sportal365.com/process//smp-images-production/pulse.ng/15042025/175be8f9-4419-470c-8bd2-848e879e22c2.jpg?operations=autocrop(800:480))
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Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has publicly refuted claims made by Shamsu Bala, son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, declaring that Governor Bala never supported Atiku's presidential ambitions in 2019 or 2023.
In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, April 14, Mohammed described Shamsu’s recent remarks—where he warned that his father would not support Atiku in 2027—as “arrogant” and “overinflated.”
"The only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask. Now we do not have to worry about the feigned impression of any support from his father," Mohammed stated.
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Gov Bala's alleged betrayal
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Mohammed asserted that contrary to any perception of loyalty, Governor Bala worked covertly against Atiku during the last election cycle.
"The ignoble role his father played in 2023, where he clandestinely worked against the presidential candidate of his party, is still fresh on Nigerians’ memory," he said.
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He pointed to a recent revelation by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—Bala Mohammed’s known political ally—who alleged the Bauchi governor had orchestrated efforts to derail Atiku’s 2023 campaign.
“Whatever conflict Bala Mohammed may have had with politicians in Bauchi... was purely a local affair,” Mohammed added, distancing Atiku from intra-party squabbles in the state.
Bala's leadership of PDP governors critiqued
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He also criticised Bala’s leadership of the PDP Governors Forum, suggesting his alleged presidential ambition undermined his ability to unite his peers.
“We are not also unawares of his secret hobnobbing with Tinubu’s government,” he claimed.
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Mohammed urged for a more meaningful political dialogue: “Let me conclude by telling my brother, Shamsu, that the focus of every patriotic Nigerian should be on promoting political discourse that advances our dear country Nigeria, not on needless rantings.”
The exchange has further deepened tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the political maneuvering toward the 2027 elections begins to surface.