Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday received Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, alongside a delegation of leaders from the south-east at the Government House.
The meeting, which officials described as a courtesy visit, comes at a time when opposition politicians are exploring new alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In recent weeks, Mohammed has held talks with several political figures across party lines. This development follows the leadership challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On March 31, the governor welcomed members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. He had earlier suggested that the ADC could serve as a viable political platform, although he noted that consultations were still ongoing.
A day later, he met with the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and the governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf. These engagements have continued to fuel speculation about his political future within the PDP.
During Thursday’s visit, Mohammed held a private meeting with Obi. He described the engagement as both symbolic and important, with a focus on cooperation among political actors.
“What they are here for is not to ask us for anything other than partnership, cooperation, and synergy, to rekindle and rebuild the country, to recreate the balance of power that our forefathers created before, which has been abandoned,” Mohammed said.
The governor noted that Obi has maintained consistent contact with institutions in Bauchi, including visits to schools and health facilities. He said the latest visit reflects a renewed effort to strengthen collaboration.
“We believe he has become a recurring visitor; he has always visited here, our institutions, our health facilities, and our schools,” he said.
“But this time he is coming with a lot of olive branches that he wants to extend to us. We have given him all the assurances and our respect, as well as the leaders he has brought, because all of them are known.”
Mohammed said discussions during the meeting focused largely on politics, with attention on alignment and possible future cooperation among key players.
“I am a freelance now. Like, you know, we are freelance reporters, and he himself, his party, is in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary,” he said.
He added that the dialogue forms part of broader efforts to build consensus among opposition figures and create a platform that can support national development.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Obi said the group is committed to fostering unity and addressing Nigeria’s current challenges through reform and partnership.
“We want to have a united country to build a future for our children. The country cannot continue the way it is today. We are headed in the wrong direction, and we need to reverse that for everybody,” Obi said.
