2027: Obi Meets Gov Bala, Seeks North-East, South-East Alliance To Rescue Nigeria

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has called on stakeholders from the South-East, North-East, and other regions to unite and rebuild Nigeria.

Obi made the call during a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Government House in Bauchi on Thursday, where he urged the governor and other stakeholders to work collectively for national progress and to rescue the country from collapse.

He explained that the visit was aimed at fostering partnerships and strengthening cooperation among leaders across regions, particularly in the North-East.

“We want to build a united country for the future of our children. Nigeria cannot continue the way it is today; we are heading in the wrong direction, and we need to reverse that for the benefit of everybody,” he said.

He stressed that national interest must come before political affiliations, noting that issues such as insecurity and rising food prices affect all Nigerians, regardless of party, tribe, or religion.

“No political party makes food cheaper in the market. No tribe or religion buys bread at a lower price. What matters is securing the country and improving the lives of Nigerians,” he added.

Obi, who is a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, emphasised that when insecurity strikes—whether through kidnapping or violence—victims are not identified by political or ethnic backgrounds, underscoring the urgency for collective action.

“Our priority must be to build a Nigeria where citizens are safe, where farmers can return to their fields without fear. We can generate more revenue from agriculture than from oil if we get it right,” he stated.

On his part, Governor Bala Mohammed said that solving Nigeria’s pressing challenges requires collective action.

The governor explained that the meeting focused on national unity and collaboration, stressing that the discussions were not driven by partisan interests.

He said neither the PDP nor the ADC is standing alone, adding that he now describes himself as a “freelance politician,” while his party is also in a state of uncertainty. “We are looking up to the judiciary,” he said.

“Of course, we are all in the opposition, which is why I describe this as a political discussion. However, we will not disclose every detail of what was discussed,” he added.

He noted that ongoing consultations among political actors are aimed at possible realignments and cooperation ahead of future elections.

“We cannot function without a platform. Ultimately, the current political climate may even serve to unite us and improve our chances of electoral success,” he said.

Bala Mohammed described Obi’s visit as reflective of efforts to build bridges across regions. “This visit is about partnership, cooperation, synergy, and rebuilding the country to restore the balance of power created by our founding fathers, which has since been abandoned,” he said.

He added that opposition parties are exploring strategic alliances.

Obi was accompanied on the visit by several prominent political figures from the South-East, including former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, Ben Obi, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh, Professor Udenta O. Udenta, and Tanko Yunusa, among others.