Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has revealed that sympathy for Peter Obi played a significant role in his decision to join the Labour Party ticket ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed said many Nigerians misunderstood the nature of his relationship with Obi, insisting that his support for the former Anambra State governor was largely driven by concern over how he was treated by other political figures at the time.
According to the former senator, Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2022 to seek a running mate, but none agreed to join his presidential bid.
Although Baba-Ahmed did not disclose the identities of the politicians involved or explain why they declined, he said their refusal left him disappointed.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. People don’t understand the relationship between Peter Obi and me; I have a great deal of sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship,” he said.
“When he approached three major politicians in 2022, they avoided him. I would have been glad if one of them went with Peter Obi. They all avoided him. I felt bad for him and for Nigeria as a nation.”
His comments provide fresh insight into the formation of the Labour Party ticket that emerged as one of the biggest political surprises of the 2023 general election.
Despite their partnership during the campaign, Baba-Ahmed stressed that his political decisions remain independent and should not be interpreted as loyalty to Obi beyond the circumstances that brought them together.
The former vice-presidential candidate dismissed suggestions that he would automatically follow Obi into any political platform he chooses.
According to him, his support for Obi in 2023 was voluntary and based on the political realities of the time rather than personal allegiance.
In a separate interview on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, Baba-Ahmed explained why he chose to leave the Labour Party for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) rather than join Obi in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He argued that the crisis within the Labour Party should have been addressed rather than abandoned.
“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 also questioned the logic of leaving one political platform because of internal disputes only to join another party that could face similar challenges.
“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,” he stated.
The former senator was emphatic that Obi does not influence his political choices.
“With due respect, Peter Obi does not own my politics; he does not own me. I am independent,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He added that he personally informed Obi of his reasons for rejecting the move to the ADC and subsequently chose to pursue his political future through a different platform.
The remarks come as opposition politicians continue to realign and reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several parties seeking to strengthen their structures and attract influential political figures.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments are likely to fuel fresh debate about the future of opposition politics in Nigeria and the evolving relationship between two of the most prominent figures from the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign.
While he maintains respect for Obi, the former vice-presidential candidate made it clear that his political journey will continue on his own terms.
