Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has publicly invited 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors Forum, made the appeal during Obi’s visit to the Bauchi Government House on Friday, stressing that the opposition must unite to address what he described as the failings of the current administration.
Commending Peter Obi for his “new brand of politics” built on constructive engagement and people-focused governance, Mohammed said:
“Your Excellency, my brother, we are really delighted by the new lease of life you bring to Nigerian politics.”
The Bauchi governor praised Peter Obi’s legacy in health and education, noting:
“You have spoken on two critical areas — health and education. We know your passion and what you did in Anambra. This is the kind of insight and roadmap we need for Nigeria.”
He emphasised that leadership must go beyond seasonal politics, warning:
“Politics is not about sharing rice during Sallah or Christmas. It is about understanding where the shoe pinches and acting accordingly.”
Mohammed called for unity among opposition parties — PDP, ADC, SDP, and LP — insisting:
“Nigerian politics cannot be done with ego, differences, or personal interests. The opposition must come together. We must harmonize our interests in the interest of the people of Nigeria.”
Criticising the current APC-led administration, he stated:
“There is no budget, no plan — everything is about politics. We must come together to confront this Goliath and take Nigeria to the promised land with strategy and compassion. I told you last night, and I’m saying it again publicly — we want you to come back to PDP. That’s where you belong. Don’t go anywhere else.”
Peter Obi, in his response, expressed gratitude for the reception, saying:
“Your Excellency, let me continue to thank you for your warm reception and cordial relationship. I came to Bauchi to visit two schools of nursing, but beyond that, I came to meet my brother so we can talk about the problems of the people and how to solve them together.”
He stressed the need for joint effort among opposition figures:
“To all of us in the opposition, it’s important that we work together. It’s no longer about us — it’s about our country. Our politics must change. It must be the politics of development, competence, capacity, and compassion.”
During his visit, Peter Obi donated N15 million — N10 million to Malkiya College of Nursing Sciences and N5 million to Intisharu Taufizul Quranic Islamic School in Yelwa. Speaking at Malkiya College, he highlighted the critical role of nurses in healthcare, saying they are sometimes even more important than doctors, and revealed that he supports 60 to 70 nursing schools across Nigeria annually.
At Intisharu Taufizul Quranic Islamic School, he underscored the value of combining Islamic education with conventional subjects, noting:
“Our children need both Islamic teachings and skills like English and Maths to succeed.”
In a separate engagement with Students’ Union Government leaders, Peter Obi reiterated his pledge to serve only one four-year term if elected president, calling the promise “sacrosanct” and stating:
“Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service — however brief — that defines true statesmanship.”
