Bala Mohammed Endorses Peter Obi as Nigeria’s True Opposition Leader, Blasts ‘Mediocre’ Ruling Class
Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, has declared his readiness to collaborate with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to revitalize opposition politics in Nigeria.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi, Mohammed praised Obi’s political vision, leadership style, and deep understanding of governance and the economy.
“We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatile nature, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance,” Mohammed stated.
He described Obi as the “face of opposition politics in Nigeria” and emphasized the need for a united front to challenge the ruling party effectively.
Governor Mohammed revealed that his meeting with Obi was part of ongoing discussions on pressing national issues, including the political crisis in Rivers State and the broader challenges facing the opposition.
“I appreciate what he is doing as a leader of the opposition because, whether we like it or not, he is now the face of opposition politics in Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing his commitment to strengthening the opposition, Mohammed said:
“I want to say clearly that I am ready to work with Peter Obi. We must come together to bring good governance, offer a vibrant opposition with vision and strategy, and rescue this country from mediocrities parading themselves as leaders.”
He further hinted that his fellow PDP governors support such alliances, signaling a potential realignment of opposition forces ahead of future elections.
Speaking earlier, Peter Obi said his visit to Mohammed was part of a larger effort to engage with key political leaders, particularly in the North, to address Nigeria’s deepening economic and security challenges.
“Nigerians may wonder why I am here, but I have come to consult with him because he is a critical stakeholder in Nigerian politics,” Obi explained.
He emphasized the need to tackle poverty as a means to curb insecurity, noting that crime in Nigeria, especially in the North, is largely driven by economic hardship.
“When people talk about criminality in Nigeria, especially in the North, I tell them the real issue is poverty. Until we address poverty, we cannot solve criminality,” he said.
Obi called for increased investment in education and agriculture to lift millions out of poverty and reduce crime.
“But look at what dominates our political discourse today—budget padding, sexual harassment—while Nigerians are hungry. We need to discuss hunger, poverty, education, and healthcare,” he added.
Obi concluded by stating that his discussions with Mohammed were just beginning and that he hoped to continue engagements on the future of Nigeria.
