Dep Gov. Remains Silent as Jatau Nominates himself as Bauchi PDP Running Mate

FastNews report that Auwal Jatau, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bauchi State’s Zaki Federal Constituency, has proclaimed himself Governor Bala Mohammed’s running mate for the 2023 general election.

“I use this platform to convey my heartfelt appreciation to the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, for finding me deserving to be his running partner in the 2023 governorship race in Bauchi,” Jatau said in a statement to reporters yesterday.

“This is a great honour to me and I to assure the governor that I will justify the confidence reposed in me.”
The former House of Assembly speaker also contested the 2015 governorship election under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against former Governor Mohammad Abubakar, who defeated him.

Governor Mohammed has yet to publicly declare Jatau as his new running mate, but there are strong indications that he is not going to be running with his incumbent deputy, Baba Tela.

When The Guardian contacted Tela’s media aide, Sani Mu’azu, he denied knowledge of the report. When asked whether Tela would be running with the governor in 2023, he said: “I don’t know. I can’t say anything about that. I’m not in town. I have not seen the report you are referring to.”