Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday declared that he is now operating as a “freelance politician,” distancing himself from strict party alignment as he hosted former Labour Party presidential candidate and a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, alongside South-East political stakeholders in Bauchi.
Mohammed said the high-level meeting focused on national unity, political cooperation, and the need to build stronger alliances across party lines ahead of future elections, stressing that the discussions were not driven by narrow partisan interests.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting, the governor said both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ADC were navigating uncertain political terrain, making broader collaboration necessary.
“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,” Mohammed said.
He added, “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.”
The Bauchi governor noted that ongoing consultations among opposition figures were aimed at possible political realignments that could strengthen their chances in 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 stated.
Mohammed described Obi’s visit as symbolic and significant, saying it represented a broader effort to bridge regional divides and promote national cohesion.
“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,” he said.
Earlier, Peter Obi explained that his visit was centered on fostering national unity and building stronger cooperation among political stakeholders across the country.
According to him, the mission was not about party recruitment or political defection, but about creating a collective movement for national progress.
“My purpose is to solicit support and cooperation among stakeholders, particularly from Bauchi State, in our quest to unite this country,” Obi said.
He dismissed speculations that the meeting was linked to party defections or merger talks.
“We are not inviting each other into political parties; we are inviting ourselves to build a better Nigeria,” Obi added.
The meeting was attended by several prominent South-East leaders, including former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Senator Victor Umeh.
The development has further fueled conversations around possible opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as key political actors continue consultations across party and regional lines.
