Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has disclosed that sympathy for Peter Obi played a major role in his decision to join the party’s 2023 presidential ticket. He made the revelation during an interview with Symfoni, where he reflected on the circumstances that led to their political partnership.
According to Baba-Ahmed, many people have misunderstood the nature of his relationship with Obi. He explained that his support for the former Anambra State governor was influenced by events that unfolded in 2022 when Obi was seeking political allies ahead of the presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed claimed that Obi approached three prominent politicians during that period, but none agreed to align with him. While he declined to reveal the identities of those individuals or explain why they allegedly turned Obi down, he said he was disappointed by the situation and concerned about its implications for Nigeria.
The former senator said he would have been pleased if any of the politicians had agreed to work with Obi, adding that their refusal prompted him to step forward. He described his decision as a voluntary act driven by his longstanding commitment to what he believes is in the best interest of the country.
Despite their previous alliance, Baba-Ahmed dismissed suggestions that he is obligated to follow Obi into any future political platform, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He stressed that his support for Obi’s presidential ambition in 2023 should not be interpreted as a permanent political attachment.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi to ADC, but I had given enough sympathy then. Obi does not own me. I own my independence,” Baba-Ahmed said. He maintained that while he supported Obi’s candidacy out of conviction and concern for Nigeria, he remains politically independent and retains full control over his future political decisions.
Elijah Adeyemi
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