Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed readiness to work with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, to provide good governance to Nigerians.

Mr Mohammed stated this in Bauchi on Thursday when Mr Obi paid him a ‘consultation visit’ at the state’s Presidential Lodge.

According to him, the visit which centred on how he and Mr Obi can work closely together to address poverty and criminality will transcend political, religious or tribal lines.

Mr Mohammed said, “We discussed state by state challenges and I feel highly appreciative of what he is doing as the leader of the opposition because whether we like it or not, he is the leader of the opposition now in Nigeria. I want to say at this level not to make some of those doubting Thomases and mischievous minds to pre-empt what we are doing, that I’m ready to work with Peter Obi. We will make sure we come together, close ranks, bring good governance to the country, give vibrant opposition with knowledge, timelines, visions in such a manner that we will rescue and recover our country. Our coming together is a message and the message is going to resonate because all our colleagues, the PDP governors are behind this kind of journey because it is a transcendental one. We are coming together to work together irrespective of party, region, religion or any other thing.’’

In his remarks, Mr Obi said he decided to visit Mr Mohammed to discuss Nigeria’s issues and consult him, being the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s politics today.

He stated, “It’s just a consultation and discussion meeting that will continue to go on as we talk about the future of this country. We have to discuss issues happening in the North. I have told the governor today that the North is a critical component if we are going to get it right in this country. There is poverty in Nigeria. We have to deal with the issue of poverty and until you solve poverty, then you can talk about criminality.”

Mr Obi added that the country needed to invest hugely in critical areas to pull people out of poverty so as to reduce criminality in society.

The closed-door meeting between the duo was for more than three hours before they addressed the press. 

(NAN)