The 2023 Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the decision of Peter Obi to leave the party amid its internal crisis, describing the move as inconsistent with strong leadership.
Baba-Ahmed, who spoke on Monday with newsmen, expressed scepticism over the chances of a proposed political alliance between Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gaining traction in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He made this remark shortly after his defection to the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
Speaking with journalists, Baba-Ahmed, however, noted that he still maintains cordial relationships with both Obi and Kwankwaso.
The remarks follow recent political realignments involving Obi and Kwankwaso, who were reported to have moved from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) as part of broader opposition coalition talks.
Baba-Ahmed revealed that he had earlier encouraged Obi to engage with Kwankwaso and other influential northern figures as part of a long-term political strategy.
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He said, “As much as possible, I try to avoid names of anybody at this stage or the politics of anyone. But it is very unlikely that the north will rally around Obi and Kwankwaso.
“I did say that I feel guilty because I was the one who told Peter Obi on the 31st of January 2024 in John Woods’ hotel. After asking him a few things, I told him, ‘Your excellency, from this point there is Kwankwaso, there is El-Rufai, and there’s another person. I would like to suggest you approach them.
“The business that I do now, which started around 2011, I was planning as far back as 1996, and if in 2024 you cannot plan for 2027, I’m sorry I cannot continue to be with you.
“So they are going together now with Kwankwaso; it’s my idea… Will it work? I think it’s a big question. We’ll wait and see.”
He also questioned the political dynamics behind the emerging alliance, asking why Kwankwaso did not support Obi during the 2023 elections.
“However, remember, why didn’t Kwankwaso support Peter Obi in 2022/23? What changed between 2022 and 23?” he asked.
Raising concerns about potential leadership struggles within the alliance, he added: “You have a vice-president that is older than you in age, education, political profile, and many other things. Who is going to be the president, actually?”
On Obi’s exit from the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed maintained that the former Anambra State governor should have remained within the party to address its internal challenges.
“Someone who got a Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problems of the Labour Party, however difficult they were.
“I stood and I earned the wrath of many because I said, ‘Come and reconcile’ in the Labour Party, only for me to hear and read that my former leader says wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away. So, there’s a quarrel in Nigeria; you’ll walk away? These are things that don’t add up.
“A leader must be firm. However gentle you are as a leader, you must be willing to fight… If you’re not ready to fight, don’t even come out; stay in your house. You are going into politics, which is a contact sport, and in a country like Nigeria that is diverse and heated, you don’t want to argue? then this is not your game.”
The comments highlight ongoing divisions and strategic uncertainties within opposition ranks as political actors reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
