BAUCHI — Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, has publicly appealed to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the PDP, insisting that the opposition must unite to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Speaking during Obi’s courtesy visit to the Bauchi Government House on Friday, Mohammed commended the former Anambra State governor for what he described as a “new brand of politics” built on constructive engagement, people-focused governance, and developmental oversight.
“Your Excellency, my brother, we are really delighted by the new lease of life you bring to Nigerian politics,” the governor said in the presence of journalists, party stakeholders, and members of Obi’s Obidient Movement.
Praising Obi’s track record in healthcare and education, Mohammed noted: “You have spoken on two critical areas — health and education. We know your passion and what you did in Anambra. This is the kind of insight and roadmap we need for Nigeria.”
He urged political leaders to go beyond seasonal politics and tokenism. “Politics is not about sharing rice during Sallah or Christmas. It is about understanding where the shoe pinches and acting accordingly,” he said.
Mohammed warned that opposition disunity only strengthens the ruling party, calling for a broad coalition of parties including the PDP, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Nigerian politics cannot be done with ego, differences, or personal interests. We must harmonize our interests for the sake of the people,” he declared.
Slamming the APC-led administration, Mohammed alleged that the government lacked clear policies and planning: “There is no budget, no plan — everything is about politics. We must come together to confront this Goliath and take Nigeria to the promised land with strategy and compassion. I told you last night, and I’m saying it again publicly — we want you to come back to PDP. That’s where you belong. Don’t go anywhere else.”
Responding, Obi expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the need for opposition collaboration.
“I came to Bauchi to visit two schools of nursing, but beyond that, I came to meet my brother so we can talk about the problems of the people and how to solve them together,” Obi said. “To all of us in the opposition, it’s important that we work together. It’s no longer about us — it’s about our country. Our politics must change. It must be the politics of development, competence, capacity, and compassion.”
Earlier in the day, Obi visited Malkiya College of Nursing Sciences, where he donated ₦10 million, and Intisharu Taufizul Quranic Islamic School in Yelwa, where he donated ₦5 million. He stressed the critical role nurses play in healthcare, revealing that he supports 60 to 70 nursing schools across Nigeria annually.
“This is not about politics — this is about societal progress,” he said.
At the Quranic school, Obi highlighted the importance of merging Islamic education with conventional subjects like English and Mathematics to equip children for the future.
In a separate address to a forum of Students’ Union Government (SUG) Presidents, Obi reaffirmed his pledge to serve only a single four-year term if elected president, insisting that purposeful and accountable service — not longevity in office — defines true leadership.
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