I Won’t Disadvantage Tinubu” — Datti Explains Controversial Comment On Obi, Atiku

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has clarified his recent comments about presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, insisting that his position was motivated by what he described as fairness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Ireporter Online, Baba-Ahmed made the clarification while appearing on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he explained his earlier statement that none of the major candidates challenging President Bola Tinubu had the capacity to change Nigeria.

Baba-Ahmed said he did not want to use his comments to unfairly promote any of Tinubu’s major political opponents, particularly Obi and Atiku, while calling for the incumbent president to step aside.

“In the way 2027 elections are, I will not disadvantage Uncle (Tinubu). I will not disadvantage him to unnecessarily promote Baba Atiku and Peter Obi and others, because we have to be fair in life, and that’s what I stand for,” he said.

He explained that asking Tinubu to relinquish power while simultaneously promoting the opposition candidates would amount to giving some contenders an undue advantage.

“I don’t want to unduly disadvantage a key opponent. Who is the key opponent? The major opponent, Tinubu, Shettima ticket, and promote the Atiku ticket, which I’m not there, or the Obi ticket that I’m not there. One has to be fair in life, and that’s what happened,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

The former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate also revealed that the issue was not part of the original subject he intended to discuss during the interview but was raised after the interviewer, Seun Okinbaloye, pressed him on his views regarding Obi.

“And it was not what I went to discuss with Seun, but Seun found a way of bringing that topic and insisting, including Peter Obi,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed, however, rejected suggestions that his comments amounted to a withdrawal of support for Obi. He said he remained appreciative of their political relationship and the role he played in supporting Obi in the past.

“What I have done to support Peter Obi, I can repeat it. Peter Obi knows I stood for him. I still stand by him, and it is regretful those moves he made. But it is his choice,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that Obi had abandoned or “dropped” him politically, saying he had personally raised concerns about Obi’s political direction long before the current political realignments.

“Now they keep saying that he dropped me. He didn’t drop me,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He recalled that on January 31, 2024, he had advised Obi to develop a clear political strategy for his future.

“On 31st of January, 2024, I told him, sir, I need you to have a plan, and you don’t have it. At least I haven’t heard from you,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed also spoke respectfully about Atiku, describing the former vice-president as a father figure and stressing that his recent comments were not intended to diminish his standing.

“Between me and Atiku, it’s much, much, much respect. In fact, I was able to remind him that I personally see you as like a father figure,” he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing political realignments and debates over the emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with several opposition figures positioning themselves for a possible challenge to the Tinubu administration.

Baba-Ahmed maintained that while his political views may differ from those of Obi and Atiku, he continues to respect both politicians and remains committed to what he described as fairness in the political process.