Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has explained his decision to align with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), maintaining that his political choices are not tied to those of his former running mate, Peter Obi.

Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, Baba-Ahmed said he chose not to join the opposition coalition alongside Obi because he believed the internal disputes within the Labour Party should have been addressed rather than abandoned.

According to him, many expected him to move with Obi into a new political platform, but he felt leadership required confronting and resolving challenges within the party.

“They thought I would follow Peter Obi, but I had given enough sympathy then and I thought as a leader, what he should do then is to solve the problem out,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed said that changing political parties does not automatically eliminate the possibility of internal conflicts, noting that leadership disputes can arise in any political organisation.

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“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think the Nwosu or the David Mark of the ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think the chairman of Seriake’s party, NDC, will not be a problem? It’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem; let’s work together, and he decided to move,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

The former senator stressed that his refusal to join the African Democratic Congress was rooted in personal conviction and political independence.

“With due respect, Peter Obi does not own my politics, he does not own me. I am independent,” he said.

He disclosed that he communicated his position directly to Obi and offered reasons for declining to be part of the coalition project.

“And I said, alright sir. I have different reasons for joining you. If you want to move, go ahead. I gave my cogent and logical reason for not joining the ADC, all of which have come through,” he added.