Bala Mohammed, Peter Obi Unite for Good Governance, Say Opposition Must Be Vibrant
By Matthew Eloyi
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed his willingness to collaborate with Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, to foster good governance in Nigeria.
Mohammed made this declaration on Thursday during Obi’s visit to the Presidential Lodge in Bauchi, where both leaders discussed national issues, including poverty alleviation and security.
Speaking on their engagement, Governor Mohammed acknowledged Obi’s growing influence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“We discussed state-by-state challenges, and I feel highly appreciative of what he is doing as the leader of the opposition because, whether we like it or not, he is the leader of the opposition now in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor emphasized that their collaboration was beyond politics, religion, or ethnicity, stating, “I want to say at this level, not to make some of those doubting Thomases and mischievous minds pre-empt what we are doing, that I’m ready to work with Peter Obi.
“We will make sure we come together, close ranks, bring good governance to the country, and give vibrant opposition with knowledge, timelines, and vision in such a manner that we will rescue and recover our country.
“Our coming together is a message, and the message is going to resonate because all our colleagues, the PDP governors, are behind this kind of journey,” he added.
On his part, Obi noted that his visit to Governor Mohammed was part of wider consultations on Nigeria’s pressing issues.
“It’s just a consultation and discussion meeting that will continue to go on as we talk about the future of this country,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra governor stressed the importance of addressing poverty as a means of tackling criminality.
“We have to discuss issues happening in the North. I have told the governor today that the North is a critical component if we are going to get it right in this country.
“There is poverty in Nigeria. We have to deal with the issue of poverty, and until you solve poverty, then you can talk about criminality,” he said.
Obi further emphasized the need for strategic investments in critical sectors to uplift Nigerians from poverty and reduce crime rates.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi and Mohammed held a closed-door meeting that lasted over three hours before addressing the press.