Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to strengthen the opposition in Nigeria.
Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made this known after a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi.
Speaking on Thursday, Mohammed noted that both he and the PDP hold Obi in high regard due to his political approach, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of governance and the economy.
“We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatile nature, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance,” Mohammed said.
He further noted that Obi has a clear vision for how politics should work in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for good governance, national unity, and policies that benefit the people. Mohammed described Obi as a leader with strong statistical knowledge and an ability to engage in meaningful discussions about the country’s challenges.
The Bauchi governor revealed that their recent meeting was not the first, as they had previously held discussions in Abuja. He disclosed that their talks covered key national issues, including political developments in Rivers State and the state of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Mohammed acknowledged Obi’s role as a major figure in opposition politics, stating, “I appreciate what he is doing as a leader of the opposition because, whether we like it or not, he is now the face of opposition politics in Nigeria.”
He also stated his commitment to working with Obi to strengthen the opposition and provide an alternative to the ruling party.
“I want to say clearly that I am ready to work with Peter Obi. We must come together to bring good governance, offer a vibrant opposition with vision and strategy, and rescue this country from mediocrities parading themselves as leaders. The time has come for us to step out and act with sincerity and focus. Our coming together is a message, and this message will resonate because my fellow governors support this kind of alliance,” he said.
Obi, in his remarks, explained that his visit to Bauchi was part of a broader effort to engage key political figures on the challenges facing Nigeria.
“Nigerians may wonder why I am here, but I have come to consult with him because he is a critical stakeholder in Nigerian politics,” Obi said.
He noted that discussions with northern leaders were necessary, given the region’s importance in shaping the country’s future.
“All of you know where we are today as a country. We must talk about the issues affecting the North because the North is a critical component in getting Nigeria on the right path,” he said.
Obi also pointed out that poverty is a major factor contributing to insecurity in the country.
“When people talk about criminality in Nigeria, especially in the North, I tell them the real issue is poverty. Until we address poverty, we cannot solve criminality,” he stated.
He stressed the need for investment in education and agriculture to reduce poverty and crime, criticizing the current political discourse, which he said focuses on irrelevant matters instead of pressing national issues.
“But look at what dominates our political discourse today—budget padding, sexual harassment—while Nigerians are hungry. We need to discuss hunger, poverty, education, and healthcare,” he said.
