2027: ‘Remain Indoors’ – Datti Baba-Ahmed Fires At Peter Obi

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has openly criticised his former running mate, Peter Obi, over his decision to leave a political party amid internal disputes. According to Ireporter Online, Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he identified what he described as a key weakness in Obi’s political approach.

He argued that Obi should have remained within the Labour Party to confront and resolve its challenges rather than stepping away during a period of crisis. Baba-Ahmed maintained that leadership requires resilience, especially in difficult moments, stressing that abandoning a party during internal conflict raises questions about commitment.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Baba-Ahmed suggested that Obi should reconsider any ambition for the 2027 presidential election if he is unwilling to confront political battles. He criticised the notion of walking away from disputes, warning that such an approach could undermine leadership credibility in a complex political environment like Nigeria.

In addition, Baba-Ahmed cast doubt on Obi’s chances of securing strong support from Northern Nigeria ahead of the next general elections. He noted that it would be difficult for the region to unite behind Obi, given current political realities.

While emphasising that his comments reflect his personal views, Baba-Ahmed clarified that he still maintains respect and cordial relationships with key political figures. He also disclosed that he had previously advised Obi to begin early political consultations, revealing that as far back as January 2024, he encouraged him to build alliances with influential northern politicians such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai.

Baba-Ahmed underscored the importance of long-term strategic planning in politics, warning that delays in alliance-building could affect preparedness for future elections. He added that his continued political involvement would depend on the presence of a clear and forward-looking strategy.