From Ahmad Saka, Bauchi
The former Anambra State Governor Mr. Peter Obi, has led a stakeholders and politicians visited Bauchi State Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in a move aimed at rebuilding synergy and partnership to build a better Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election.
The two leaders met behind close door ,addressing reporters after their meeting , Peter Obi said
“I have been here before, but today more importantly, I came with a powerful delegation from the South-East,” he stated.
“My purpose of visiting is to solicit the support and cooperation of Governor Bala Mohammed, the stakeholders of Bauchi State, and the North-East in our quest to unite Nigeria. We want to have a united country and build a future for our children.
“The country cannot continue the way it is going. We are headed in the wrong direction and we need to reverse that for everybody. That is why we are here to seek his support and the support of the people of Bauchi in building a Nigeria for the benefit of all, where a child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.”
Obi added that Nigerians must come together irrespective of party, religion, or tribe.
“We cannot have a Nigeria where people cannot afford food and are asked what party they belong to. No political party buys bread cheaper. No religion or tribe buys bread cheaper.
“When kidnappers stop you on the road, they do not ask what party you belong to. You will pay ransom regardless of your party. We want a Nigeria where everybody is secure.
“Farmers should be able to go to their farms safely and help grow agriculture, which can earn us more than oil. Our greatest asset is uncultivated land in the North. We want to invest in it to drive the economy.
“The invitation is to build a better Nigeria. That is why I came to invite him.”
Obi said the visit was aimed at fostering unity and strengthening collaboration across the country.
“My purpose is to solicit support and cooperation among stakeholders, particularly from the Bauchi state, in our quest to unite this country,”
He dismissed speculation about political defections, insisting that the engagement was not about party alignment.
“We are not inviting each other into political parties; we are inviting ourselves to build a better Nigeria,”
In his response Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said Peter Obi visited Bauchi with a vision for unity and national development.
“Peter Obi came with a torchlight because he is talking about unifying and building the country, building bridges, and creating a new future for Nigeria. That is what we stand for as a state and as a people.
“We feel highly honoured by this visit from eminent persons from the South-East who chose to visit us. They are here not to ask for anything other than partnership, synergy, and rebuilding this country.
“We believe Peter Obi has become a recurrent visitor to Bauchi. He has visited our health institutions and schools. This time, he has come with a lot of love which he wants to extend to us.
“We have given him all assurances that our respect and support are with him and the leaders who visited us today. It is about rebuilding synergy and partnership for the progress and development of this country,” the governor said.
Governor, Bala said he is now a “freelance politician” with no direct ties to any political party.
The governor said the meeting centred on national unity and collaboration, noting that the discussions were not driven by partisan interests.
“Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary.
“Certainly, we are all in the opposition, and that is why I say this is a political discussion. We will not disclose everything we have discussed in terms of the ‘I’s and ‘t’s we have crossed,” he said.
He said that ongoing engagements among political actors were focused on possible realignment and cooperation ahead of future elections.
“We cannot operate without a platform. At the end of the day, the current political situation may even help unify us and strengthen our chances of winning elections,” he added.
Mohammed described Obi’s visit as symbolic, saying it reflected efforts to build bridges across regions.
“He is talking about unifying the country, building bridges, and creating a new tomorrow for Nigeria. This is what we stand for as a state and as a people. We feel highly honoured by this visit,” Mohammed said.
The South-East leaders who accompanied Obi on the visit to the governor in Bauchi included former Deputy Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and current Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Victor Umeh.
Others are Senator Ben Obi; Professor Udenta O. Udenta, professor of African Literature; and activist, Comrade Tanko Yunusa.
