By Hauwa Umar D
BAUCHI — The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Friday hosted the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, at the Bauchi Government House, in what appears to be a bold political overture ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists after receiving Obi and members of his “Obedient” team, Mohammed declared that Nigeria’s opposition political parties must close ranks if they hope to mount a formidable challenge in the next general election.
“We have to harmonise our interests in the interest of the people of Nigeria,” Mohammed said, stressing that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), PDP, Labour Party, and other smaller parties should unite under a common agenda.
While acknowledging that his camp does not “hate” the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mohammed criticised what he described as the lack of a national budget and coherent plan, accusing the government of prioritising politics from its first day in office.
“The opposition must come together. We have to be cautious not to disparage our people. We must unite our ego and our interests so we can present a common front to compete and lead Nigeria to the promised land,” he added.
With 2027 looming, Mohammed warned that public expectations were soaring amid growing hardship. “There is a lot of hunger and anger. And we don’t want to cause so many disparaging movements,” he said, before making a direct appeal to Obi: “Please come back. That’s where you belong. Don’t go anywhere that is in disarray.”
Peter Obi, in his remarks, said his visit to Bauchi was primarily to engage with youths in colleges of health and to interact with Almajiris, indicating that his outreach efforts remain focused on grassroots engagement and social development.
The meeting has sparked speculation about potential political realignments, as opposition leaders explore strategies to challenge the ruling party in what promises to be one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested elections.