Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, held a closed-door meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Ramat House in Bauchi on Thursday. The purpose of the meeting has not been officially disclosed, but both leaders are expected to address the media following their discussions.
The meeting comes amid political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, sparking speculation about potential alliances and strategies. Obi, who secured third place in the 2023 presidential race, met with Mohammed, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling possible discussions about future political collaboration.
In the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious with 8,794,726 votes, almost two million more than his nearest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who garnered 6,984,520 votes. Obi, with 6,101,533 votes, galvanised a significant following among young voters, winning 11 states, including Lagos (Tinubu’s home state) and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Abubakar and Tinubu both won in 12 states each.
As the 2027 elections loom, opposition parties, including the PDP and LP, have started discussions about forming a coalition to challenge the APC’s dominance. Atiku Abubakar has been seen with Obi and other key political figures, including former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, as they prepare for the upcoming polls. El-Rufai recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing ideological differences with the ruling party.
The meeting between Obi and Mohammed adds to the growing speculation about alliances that may shape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
