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By Myke Agunwa
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed has appealed to the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi to return to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor said for the opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, both the African Democratic Congress (ADC), PDP, LP and other opposition parties must close ranks and form a united front.
Bala, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, spoke on Friday at the government house in Bauchi when he met with Obi and his Obident movement.
The governor criticized some of the former PDP members that defected to the ADC but added that opposition leaders should put aside their personal interests ahead of 2027 if the plot to unseat Tinubu will be actualized.
“We have to harmonise our interests in the interest of the people of Nigeria. The opposition must come together. This ADC, PDP and even the remaining political parties should come together.
“And we don’t even hate the present administration; we wish they would do better. But as I discussed with you, there’s no budget; there is no plan. Everything is about politics from day one.
“And we have to be cautious, not to disparage our people. We have to unite the opposition, our ego and our interests. So, we can present a common front to compete and ensure that we go to the promised land, ” he said.
Mohammed said the APC has failed to fulfil its campaign promises, citing economic policies which has caused hardship.
“There is a lot of hunger and anger. And we don’t want to cause so many disparaging movements.
“So, please come back. That is where you belong. Don’t go anywhere that is in disarray.”
In his remarks, Obi said that came to the north-east state to meet with students in the state.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Obi said Nigeria needs competent politicians who are committed to development.
“Our politics must change. It has to be politics of development, competence, capacity and compassion, where we care for other people.
“How can we solve it together? Alliance is not for power grabbing, but to bring about changes and development, ” he said.
The former Anambra State governor donated N10 million to Malikiya College of Nursing Sciences and Intisharu Islamic and another N5 million to the Quranic Memorisation School in the state.
The PDP has been making efforts to bring Obi back to the party. Though Obi is still a member of the labour party, he has a very strong ties with the coalition but yet to register formally in the ADC.
In July, Jerry Gana, a founding member of the PDP, confirmed talks with Obi, saying the party is now a “credible alternative” for the 2027 elections.
Analysts and party insiders are of the view that the momentum gained by the ADC may have forced PDP strategists to reconsider Obi as a unifying figure who could help the party reclaim lost ground especially after the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.