Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared his willingness to join forces with the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to give more bite to opposition politics in Nigeria.

Mohammed, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made this known after a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

The Governor noted that he and his party respect the former presidential candidate’s political approach and share his vision for the nation.

He described the former Anambra State Governor as clear-headed about bringing about good governance, impacting the people and uniting the nation.

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“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.

“Peter Obi has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in terms of bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country. It is always a delight to listen to him because of his deep knowledge and mastery of statistics,” Mohammed said in a statement.

Mohammed calls Obi the new face of opposition politics

The Bauchi Governor also declared that Obi has become Nigeria’s new face of opposition politics, heaping praises on the Labour Party chieftain for always making his voice heard.

Mohammed stressed his readiness to work alongside Obi, highlighting the need for the duo to come together for good governance and vibrant opposition equipped with vision and strategy to save the country from the brink.

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He added that the meeting represents a statement of intent that the duo are ready to work together, claiming that his fellow PDP governors align with such an alliance.

“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.

“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.

“The time has come for us to step out and act with sincerity and focus. Our coming together is a message, and this message will resonate because my fellow governors support this kind of alliance,” Mohammed concluded.

The development comes amid talks of a coalition of opposition parties to wrestle power from the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

On Monday, March 10, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the APC and movement to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over his claim that the ruling party had left him behind.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has shut down rumours of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the ruling party.

Buhari, who governed between 2015 and 2023 under the APC platform, said he remains a committed member and will do everything he can to strengthen the party.

The pledge is contained in a statement issued by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday, March 13, 2025.

This is happening amid the ongoing political realignment and talks of a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu‘s government in 2027.

On Monday, March 10, 2025, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

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El-Rufai claimed that his defection from the APC had Buhari’s endorsement, sparking speculations that the former President may soon follow suit.

However, the former President unequivocally declared that he would never abandon the party that gave him the platform to lead Nigeria for two terms.

“I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Buhari said.

Buhari expresses gratitude to APC

While stressing his gratitude, the ex-President said that he considers the opportunity to have served as Nigeria’s leader under the APC as the “highest honour” and does not seek anything more from the party.

“At present, I have nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave me before and during my tenure as president,” he added.

Buhari also highlighted the “sacrifices made by the founding fathers of the APC,” emphasising that their efforts in “building a strong party to protect democracy and uphold the constitution” must be cherished and sustained.

The former President’s remarks may have temporarily put paid to the rumours of a possible exodus from the APC after El-Rufai’s defection, which he claimed was influenced by “ideological differences and internal crises.”

The former Kaduna Governor’s exit had fuelled speculations about an implosion within the ruling party and Buhari’s stance as stakeholders realigned ahead of 2027.

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Though Buhari didn’t directly mention El-Rufai, his allegiance to the party sends a strong message amid the ongoing shift among opposition politicians.

It also reflected his steadfastness with the party despite defections by some of his former associates.

“Without referring to any individual, a cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by party leaders at various levels, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has reiterated what he said times without number that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.

“He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back to the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularise it,” the statement concluded.

On Wednesday, the Edo House of Assembly’s majority leader, Donald Okugbe (PDP—Akoko-Edo II), and three other lawmakers defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The other lawmakers are Bright Iyamu (PDP – Orhionmwon South II), Richard Edosa (PDP – Oredo West), and Sunday Ojezele (LP – Esan South East).

By the defection, APC now has 13 members in the House while PDP members have 11.

The lawmakers, received at the APC Secretariat in Beni by the Acting State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, cited deep divisions and unresolved crises within their former parties as reasons for their defection.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Edosa described the move as a “defining moment”.

He said they believed in Monday OOkpebholo’s vision and were committed to working with him to advance the state’s development.

Welcoming them into the party, Tenebe said their decision to join APC was a bold step toward a better future for Edo State.

He said they would enjoy equal rights and privileges like every other member.

The APC chairman praised their courage and noted that their defection strengthened the party’s collective resolve to improve the state’s governance, security, and economic development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was capped with a symbolic handing over of APC brooms to the defecting lawmakers, marking their official entry into the ruling party.