Peter Obi Engages Bala Mohammed in High-Stakes Private Deliberation

In a move laden with political undertones, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential contender, convened a closed-door parley with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, at the Ramat House in Bauchi State on Thursday.
While the precise agenda of the meeting remains shrouded in confidentiality, both political heavyweights are expected to interface with the press upon the conclusion of their discourse. The encounter transpires amidst mounting political maneuverings as Nigeria braces for the 2027 general elections.
Obi, who orchestrated a seismic shift in voter engagement, clinched the third position in the 2023 presidential election, a contest ultimately secured by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu emerged victorious in 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states, amassing 8,794,726 votes, a margin of nearly two million ballots ahead of his closest rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, a veteran presidential aspirant with six electoral bids, amassed 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, despite entering the race with a relatively nascent political structure, galvanized a groundswell of youth-driven support, culminating in a remarkable 6,101,533 votes. His electoral footprint extended across 11 states, notably securing a triumph in Lagos—Tinubu’s stronghold—as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Like Tinubu, Atiku also emerged triumphant in 12 states.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, erstwhile Governor of Kano State and flagbearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), finished fourth, recording 1,496,687 votes, with his stronghold firmly entrenched in Kano State.
With the 2027 presidential election looming, murmurs of a formidable opposition coalition have gained traction. Powerbrokers across party lines are exploring potential alliances to unseat the APC.
In recent weeks, Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and other political actors—including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai—have been observed engaging in high-level consultations. Notably, El-Rufai severed ties with the APC, defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing the party’s deviation from its foundational principles.
As the Nigerian political landscape continues its metamorphosis, the Obi-Mohammed meeting adds yet another layer of intrigue and speculation, with potential ramifications that could reshape the opposition’s playbook ahead of 2027.