Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has expressed his readiness to collaborate with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to strengthen opposition politics in Nigeria as the country looks ahead to the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed praised Obi’s political style, describing him as a leader with a clear vision for governance and national development.
“We have a lot of respect and admiration for Peter Obi because of his approach to politics, his statesmanship, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance,” Mohammed said. “Peter Obi has a clear vision of where politics should be—focused on bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country. It’s always a pleasure to listen to him, given his mastery of statistics and understanding of national issues.”
Mohammed emphasized that their discussion covered a variety of national topics, including the state of opposition politics and the political situation in Rivers State. He acknowledged Obi’s role as a prominent figure in Nigerian opposition politics.
“Peter Obi is the face of opposition politics in Nigeria today, whether we like it or not. I appreciate what he is doing as the leader of the opposition,” the governor added.
He further expressed his willingness to work alongside Obi to unite and strengthen the opposition in Nigeria, stating, “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.”
Governor Mohammed also noted that the alliance would send a strong message, adding that many of his fellow governors support this kind of collaboration.
Obi, on his part, explained that his visit to the Bauchi governor was part of his ongoing consultations with political stakeholders to address the country’s challenges. He emphasized the importance of addressing poverty as a root cause of crime in Nigeria.
“Nigerians may wonder why I am here, but I have come to consult with Governor Bala Mohammed because he is a critical stakeholder in Nigerian politics,” Obi explained.
He reiterated that tackling criminality in Nigeria, especially in the North, requires addressing poverty, which he views as a primary driver of crime. “Until we address poverty, we cannot solve criminality,” Obi said, adding that investment in education and agriculture is essential to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty and reducing crime.
