‘ I’m ready to collaborate with Peter Obi’, says Gov Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has signaled his readiness to collaborate with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, in a bid to strengthen opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election.  

Speaking after a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi, Mohammed expressed his admiration for Obi’s political style and governance approach.

He noted that the former Anambra State governor possesses a clear vision for politics and leadership, which aligns with efforts to build a formidable opposition.

“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.

“Peter Obi has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in terms of bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country. It is always a delight to listen to him because of his deep knowledge and mastery of statistics,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed said his discussions with Obi, whom he described as the face of opposition, covered a range of national issues, including the state of opposition and the crisis in Rivers State.

“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,” the governor said.

He also declared his readiness to work with Obi to “close ranks” and strengthen opposition politics in the country.

The governor said, “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.”

Speaking earlier, Obi said his visit to the Bauchi governor was part of his consultations with stakeholders to address Nigeria’s challenges.

“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 maintained that for criminality to be properly addressed, the government must tackle poverty.

“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 added that Nigeria must invest in education and agriculture to lift millions out of poverty and reduce crime.