
As opposition parties prepare for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, met behind closed doors with Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, on Thursday in Bauchi. According to sources in the Bauchi State Government House, Obi's visit aimed to align PDP governors with calls for him and his former running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, to rejoin the PDP. According to the source, prominent PDP figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have been lobbying Obi to rejoin the party in order to establish a coalition capable of challenging the current All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027."I think the former Vice President had visited his former principal, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to convince him to persuade Peter Obi to return to the PDP so that together they can rebuild the country," a source told me. Reflecting on the 2023 election loss, the source stated that zoning disagreements within the PDP led to its defeat, and that party leaders now recognise the importance of strategic compromise. Bala Mohammed: We must create a strong opposition. Governor Bala Mohammed emerged from the meeting and declared his willingness to work with Obi to establish a strong resistance to what he termed as "mediocres parading as leaders."He stated, "Obi is the leader of the opposition in Nigeria due to his position and background. Some doubters want to preempt what we are doing, but I want to be clear that I am willing to collaborate with Mr. Peter Obi to ensure we close ranks and provide excellent governance to the country. "We must offer a vibrant opposition with knowledge, vision, and timetables to rescue and regain our country from those posing as leaders. The time has come. However, we must act with commitment, sincerity, and attention.