I Joined Peter Obi Out of Sympathy After Three Top Politicians Rejected Him – Datti Baba-Ahmed
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says he joined forces with Peter Obi out of sympathy.
Baba-Ahmed spoke during an interview with media outlet Symfoni.
He said Obi had approached three prominent politicians ahead of the 2023 election, but none agreed to run with him.
According to him, his decision to become Obi’s running mate was driven by sympathy for the ex-Anambra governor and the country’s political situation at the time.
“People don’t understand that between me and Obi, there is a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship,” he said.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation.”
Baba-Ahmed said he voluntarily stepped in because he believed it was in the country’s best interest to do so.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he said.
On March 7, Obi formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) months after announcing his intention to align with the opposition coalition.
However, on May 3, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, quit the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing “uncertainties” over the party’s future.
Before leaving LP, Obi fell out with Julius Abure, factional chairman of the party, over alleged irreconcilable differences.
Baba-Ahmed faulted Obi’s decision to leave the party amid its leadership crisis, arguing that political challenges exist across parties and should be resolved rather than avoided.
“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?” he asked.
“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move.”
Baba-Ahmed added that his political identity is independent of Obi’s, saying their alliance in 2022 did not amount to political ownership.
“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed has since pitched tent with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after announcing his exit from the LP
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