Bala Mohammed Declares Himself ‘Freelance Politician’ After High-Level Meeting With Peter Obi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said he no longer aligns strictly with any political party, describing himself as a “freelance politician” following a strategic meeting with Peter Obi and key stakeholders from Nigeria’s South-East.

The meeting, held in Bauchi, focused on national unity and cross-regional collaboration rather than partisan politics, according to the governor.

“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.

Mohammed indicated that ongoing conversations among political figures are geared toward possible alliances and cooperation ahead of future elections, suggesting that Nigeria’s evolving political landscape could encourage broader unity.

“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.

Describing Obi’s visit as more than symbolic, Mohammed said it underscores efforts to bridge regional divides and build a shared national vision.

“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 honoured by this visit,” Mohammed said.

Earlier, Obi explained that his visit was driven by a desire to strengthen cooperation and foster unity 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 said.

He also dismissed speculation that the meeting was about party defections or political realignment.

“We are not inviting each other into political parties; we are inviting ourselves to build a better Nigeria,” he added.

The gathering included several prominent South-East figures such as former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, along with Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh.

This development comes amid a wave of consultations led by Mohammed, who has recently engaged stakeholders across multiple political platforms, including the African Democratic Congress and the All Progressives Congress, as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.