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• Seeks Bala Mohammed’s support for national unity, power shift
From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has called for the support and cooperation of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State to promote unity and security in Nigeria.
Mr. Obi spoke yesterday when he led a high-powered delegation from the South-East region, to invite the governor, people of Bauchi State and North-East, to work to promote unity and security in the country.
Obi said such partnership and cooperation are imperative towards building a secure and better country for all.
He said the aim was to promote partnership and synergy that would build a better and secured country for Nigerians.
The South-East leaders who accompanied Obi on the visit to the governor in Bauchi yesterday included former Deputy Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh. Others were Senator Ben Obi; Professor Udenta O. Udenta, professor of African Literature and activist, Tanko Yunusa.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting with the governor, members of his cabinet and other stakeholders, Obi said the visit was for the progress and development of the country.
“I have been here before, but today more importantly, I came with a powerful delegation from the South-East.
“My purpose of visiting is to solicit the support and cooperation of Governor Bala Mohammed, the stakeholders of Bauchi State and the North-East in our quest to unite Nigeria. We want to have a united country and build a future for our children.
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“The country cannot continue the way it is going. We are headed in the wrong direction and we need to reverse that for everybody. That is why we are here to seek his support and the support of the people of Bauchi in building a Nigeria for the benefit of all, where a child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” he said. Obi added that Nigerians must come together irrespective of party, religion, or tribe.
“We cannot have a Nigeria where people cannot afford food and are asked what party they belong to. No political party buys bread cheaper. No religion or tribe buys bread cheaper.
“When kidnappers stop you on the road, they do not ask what party you belong to. You will pay ransom regardless of your party. We want a Nigeria where everybody is secure.
“Farmers should be able to go to their farms safely and help grow agriculture, which can earn us more than oil. Our greatest asset is uncultivated land in the North. We want to invest in it to drive the economy.
“The invitation is to build a better Nigeria. That is why I came to invite him.”
In his response, Governor Mohammed said Obi visited Bauchi with a vision for unity and national development. “Peter Obi came with a torchlight because he is talking about unifying and building the country, building bridges and creating a new future for Nigeria. That is what we stand for as a state and as a people.
“We feel highly honoured by this visit from eminent persons from the South-East, who chose to visit us. They are here not to ask for anything other than partnership, synergy and rebuilding this country.
“We believe Obi has become a recurrent visitor to Bauchi. He has visited our health institutions and schools. This time, he has come with a lot of love which he wants to extend to us.
“We have given him all assurances that our respect and support are with him and the leaders who visited us today. It is about rebuilding synergy and partnership for progress.”
