Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said he no longer aligns directly with any political party, describing himself as a “freelance politician” amid ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor made the remark on Thursday, April 23, while hosting Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, alongside South-East stakeholders in Bauchi.
Mohammed explained that the meeting focused on national unity and political cooperation rather than partisan interests.
“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 noted that ongoing engagements among political actors are centred on potential alliances and strategic positioning 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.
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Describing Obi’s visit as significant, the governor said it reflects efforts to foster unity across regional and political 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 honoured by this visit,” Mohammed said.
Earlier, Obi stated that his visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration and building national consensus.
“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 suggestions that the meeting was about political defections.
“We are not inviting each other into political parties; we are inviting ourselves to build a better Nigeria,” he added.
The meeting was attended by key South-East figures, including former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, as well as Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Victor Umeh.
The development comes as Mohammed continues a series of consultations with political stakeholders across party lines, including members of the African Democratic Congress and the All Progressives Congress, amid growing realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.