I’m A Freelance Politician Now – Bala Mohammed Tells Obi

BAUCHI, NIGERIA — The political landscape in Nigeria witnessed a significant tremor on Thursday as Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described himself as a “freelance politician” following a high-profile meeting with former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The closed-door session held at Ramat House in Bauchi has sparked intense speculation regarding the formation of a new opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections. Mr. Obi arrived in the state accompanied by a powerful delegation of South-East leaders, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh, and former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa.

Addressing the press after the meeting, Governor Mohammed painted a picture of an opposition in flux. He noted that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are currently navigating a period of uncertainty, largely due to pending judicial outcomes.

“Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo,” Mohammed stated. The Governor emphasized that while the judiciary holds the final word on the internal crises of these parties, the need for a unified platform remains a priority for those outside the ruling circle.

The Governor’s “freelance” remark signals a potential departure from traditional party loyalty, reflecting the deepening fragmentation within Nigeria’s major opposition blocks. According to reports monitored by NaijaChoice News, Mohammed hinted that the discussions centered on “realignment, alignment, and cooperation” to ensure a viable alternative exists for the electorate in the next cycle.

Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidency under the Labour Party before his recent association with the ADC, framed the visit as a mission for national cohesion. He told reporters that his primary objective was to foster unity and mobilize support from the North-East region to “build a new Nigeria.”

This meeting follows a previous engagement in August 2025, where Mohammed had publicly encouraged Obi to return to the PDP. However, the tone of Thursday’s encounter suggests that both leaders are now looking beyond existing structures to navigate the current political “limbo.”

Political analysts suggest that the presence of heavyweights like Senator Ben Obi and Udenta Udenta indicates that these talks are part of a broader, more structured attempt to consolidate opposition forces. By labeling himself a freelance actor, Governor Mohammed has effectively signaled that his political future—and perhaps that of his supporters—is open to negotiation.

The reliance on upcoming Supreme Court rulings remains a critical factor for both men. As it stands, the legal battles surrounding their respective parties have created a vacuum that both Mohammed and Obi appear eager to fill through strategic partnerships.

This shift toward fluid alliances marks a turning point in Nigerian politics, where party identity is increasingly being traded for the pragmatic goal of building a formidable 2027 coalition.