I Could No Longer Help Him” — Datti Reveals How Peter Obi Ignored His Advice

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has disclosed that he advised former Anambra State governor Peter Obi against joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying he had reservations about the platform.

According to Ireporter Online, Baba-Ahmed made the disclosure during an interview on the MIC ON Podcast, where he recounted his conversation with Obi before the latter proceeded with the political move.

Baba-Ahmed said he was concerned about Obi’s decision to move away from the political arrangement he had previously been associated with and believed the ADC was not the appropriate platform for his political ambitions.

He recalled meeting Obi at the Yar’Adua Centre ahead of the move, where he deliberately sought a private conversation with the former governor to explain his reservations and offer personal advice.

According to Baba-Ahmed, he told Obi that the ADC was not the right political platform for him and warned him against proceeding with the decision.

“When he was going to join ADC, I had to go to Yar’Adua Centre ahead of him. I called him aside. They were worried. Why is Datti calling Peter Obi aside and talking to him? And I told him, ‘This is the last time I’m coming to this place. I gave him my reasons. This is not a place for you,’” he said.

Baba-Ahmed claimed that subsequent developments proved his concerns were justified, pointing to Obi’s eventual departure from the ADC after several months.

“Was I wrong? I was proven right. Within four months, Peter Obi left ADC,” he added.

The former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate said Obi’s decision to move away from what he described as his political comfort zone made it difficult for him to continue offering assistance.

“Peter Obi moved out of his comfort zone against my advice. Beyond that point, I could no longer help him,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

He also said he did not want to revisit his earlier criticisms of the political calculations involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that his comments were focused on his personal advice to Obi and the subsequent political developments.