From Muhammad Ahmad Saka, in Bauchi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed have called on all opposition parties in Nigeria to unite and work towards building a formidable political party that will defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and outlive current political actors.
During the visit to Bauchi State by Obi, he visited two schools and donated N15 million and paid a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed.
The duo made the call on Friday during Obi’s courtesy visit to Governor Bala at the Government House, Bauchi
Obi said that the proposal was not about personal ambition or power grab but about creating a sustainable political structure that prioritises service to Nigerians.
“The opposition must work together.” “However, we are not coming together just to grab power. If that were the case, neither Governor Bala Mohammed nor I would be part of it. We are uniting to serve Nigerians better because they are not being served well by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He said that both he and Governor Mohammed had held several positions and were not driven by personal gain.
“We are coming together to build a better society for our children. This is not about positions — he has been a senator, a minister, and a governor. I have also served as governor. We want to create a political party that functions the way parties should — bigger than the individuals in power,” Obi stated.
Obi explained the need for political parties to be institutions that outlive their leaders, citing the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa as an example. “Parties should be bigger than presidents or governors. That way, we can have orderliness and sustainability,” he added.
Governor Bala reiterated the need for opposition’s unity to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration effectively.
“The opposition parties must come together.
“We are working to form alliances that will present a common front. Mr. Peter Obi is one of the outstanding leaders of the opposition, and having him on board will be a great advantage.”
He invited Obi to join the People’s Democratic Party PDP.
The meeting between the two leaders is seen as part of ongoing consultations aimed at forging a broad-based political coalition ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi paid an unscheduled visit to students and donated millions of naira to support their education.
Obi, who arrived at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, at about 9:40 a.m., proceeded straight to the Malakiya School of Health and Nursing Sciences, a private health institution in the state capital.
Addressing the nursing students after a warm interaction, the former Anambra State governor, announced a donation of ₦10 million to the school.
You (nursing students) are very important to this country called Nigeria. Whatever we can do to support you, we must do,” Obi said.
“Today, the number one measure of a nation’s success is the health of its people. You cannot talk about health without talking about the human infrastructure that drives it. At the foundation of this structure is nursing. The nurse is more important than the doctor—the nurse is everything. It is predicted that by 2030, the world will experience a shortage of nurses, which makes your role even more critical.”
Obi revealed that he used to visit 16 to 17 nursing schools across Nigeria every year to provide similar support, stressing the pivotal role nurses play in healthcare delivery.
Obi handed over the cheque to the proprietor, Honourable Aminu Mohammad Danmalikin Bauchi who expressed appreciation for Obi’s gesture.
Aminu said the gesture was inspired by his belief in the central role of health to national development.
He commended Obi for his generosity and described him as a visionary leader committed to human capital development.
The LP presidential candidate also made an unannounced stop at the Intisharu Taufizul Qur’anic Islamic School in the Yelwa area of Bauchi.
The founder of the School Mallam, Adamu Suleiman Jibril, expressed delight over the visit, describing it as an act of empathy and love for humanity.
“We are honoured to have you in our midst today,” Jibril said. “We appreciate your concern for education—both secular and Islamic—and your vision for engaging the youth to build a brighter future for our country. We pray to Almighty Allah to guide and protect you, and bless you with success in all your endeavours.”
Speaking to the pupils, Obi emphasised the importance of nurturing the next generation through quality education in both formal and religious spheres.
“We are here today because we value their voices and perspectives on issues that matter most to our country,” he said.
Obi also interacted with students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi at the Double Four events centre, Bauchi where he entertained questions on political, economic and nation issues regarding his ambition for 2027.
Obi received massive support from the students. He was accompanied by the LP acting National Chairman and former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, and the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Salisu Ibrahim.
