Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State announced on Thursday that he is now a “freelance politician” with no ties to any political party.
Mohammed made the comments while hosting an African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Peter Obi, and South-East stakeholders in Bauchi.
The governor stated that the meeting focused on national unity and teamwork and that the proceedings were not influenced by partisan considerations.
“Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary.
“Certainly, we are all in the opposition, and that is why I say this is a political discussion. We will not disclose everything we have discussed in terms of the “i’s and t’s we have crossed,” he said.
He also noted that ongoing engagements among political actors were focused on possible realignment and cooperation ahead of future elections.
“We cannot operate without a platform. At the end of the day, the current political situation may even help unify us and strengthen our chances of winning elections,” he added.
Mohammed praised Obi’s visit as symbolic, citing attempts to reconcile regional divides.
“He is talking about unifying the country, building bridges, and creating a new tomorrow for Nigeria. This is what we stand for as a state and as a people. We feel highly honored by this visit,” Mohammed said.
Earlier, Obi stated that the tour sought to create unity and strengthen collaboration across the country.
“My purpose is to solicit support and cooperation among stakeholders, particularly from the Bauchi State, in our quest to unite this country,” Obi stated.
He denied speculation about political defections, claiming that the involvement was not about party affiliation.
“We are not inviting each other into political parties; we are inviting ourselves to build a better Nigeria,” he added.
Several South-East stakeholders attended the meeting, including former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, as well as Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh.
