NNPC topshot, Bala Wunti’s speculated 2027 guber ambition excites Bauchi PDP, unsettles APC

Chief Health, Safety, and Environment Officer at NNPC Limited, Bala Wunti’s governorship interest is exciting the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State.

With Wunti’s speculated guber ambition thrown in the mix of political calculations, the race for Bauchi Government House promises to be a battle of wit and grit.

While Wunti has yet to formally declare his intention to run, speculation about his interest in the 2027 race has sent ripples through the PDP, extending its significant impact on the leading opposition party in the state.

A report by Daily Nigerian said that Bala Wunti was quietly nursing the ambition to succeed Bala Mohammed as the governor of the state in 2027.

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Inside sources disclosed that Wunti might be chosen as Governor Mohammed’s “anointed candidate” for the 2027 governorship race.

The report of Wunti’s guber interest doing the rounds in Bauchi has yet to be formally confirmed.

the growing talk around Wunti’s potential candidacy has begun to unsettle members of the PDP, raising questions about party unity and the balance of power within the state.

Talks about Governor Mohammed and Wunti’s close ties are causing unease in the PDP.

This is hinged on the potentially unfair tilting of the nomination process to favour the governor’s annointed candidate.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that whereas he has yet to resign from the NNPC, he is believed to have secretly obtained his PDP membership card.

In fact, the growing speculation about Wunti’s possible candidacy has, nevertheless, divided the PDP.

While some party members see his financial resources and experience in the oil and gas sector as strong advantages, others fear his lack of political influence in the state could become a liability unless the power of incumbency helps him to get stratrgic visibility.

In addition, some others feel concerned about the likelihood of endorsement of one candidate creating divisions in the party. This is because other aspirants would feel unfairly treated.

A report by The Witness said that despite these concerns, Wunti’s supporters believe his strategic thinking and business acumen could make him a strong candidate for the governorship.

Meanwhile, potential challengers from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), including Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Health Minister Ali Pate, and others, are already gearing up for the 2027 race.

Pate’s recent interest in the governorship has caused some anxiety within Wunti’s camp, given his impressive credentials and political experience.

Although Wunti’s team is concerned about Pate’s potential, critics question Pate’s political influence, citing his lacklustre performance in previous primaries.

With Wunti’s rumoured candidacy creating ripples in the PDP and multipleo contenders emerging from the APC, the next few months will be crucial in shaping the state’s political future. [With The Witness report]