Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has criticised prominent opposition figures in Nigeria, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of behaving more like office seekers than genuine opposition leaders committed to addressing the country’s challenges.
Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, Baba-Ahmed questioned the response of opposition politicians to the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, particularly following the recent deadly bomb blasts in Borno State. He argued that effective opposition leadership requires direct engagement with affected communities rather than distant commentary.
According to him, opposition leaders should be physically present with victims of insecurity and demonstrate solidarity in times of crisis. He asked why none of the leading opposition figures had organised a visit to Maiduguri following the recent attacks to show support for residents and victims.
Baba-Ahmed pointed to the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari during the height of the insurgency, recalling how they visited Maiduguri and interacted with residents. He said such gestures reflected leadership and a willingness to stand with people facing difficult circumstances.
The former vice-presidential candidate also criticised what he described as the opposition’s reliance on social media statements, insisting that online reactions alone are insufficient. “No, it’s not enough that they are tweeting about it, that’s child’s play. They are not opposition members, they are office seekers,” he stated.
Despite his criticism of the opposition bloc, Baba-Ahmed singled out former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for praise, describing him as a strong political figure. He also reflected on his relationship with Peter Obi, revealing that he disagreed with some of Obi’s political decisions and movements, although he maintained that he had supported the former Anambra State governor during their time in the Labour Party.
Elijah Adeyemi
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