By Deborah Nnamdi
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has revealed that his decision to accept the party’s vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election was driven largely by sympathy for Peter Obi and concern for Nigeria, rather than political alignment.
Baba-Ahmed disclosed during an interview with media platform Symfoni, excerpts of which surfaced online on Wednesday.
According to the former senator, Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2021 in search of a running mate, but all declined the offer. He said their refusal prompted him to step forward in what he described as a voluntary commitment to the country’s future.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. Now, people don’t understand that between Obi and me, there’s a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He explained that he felt disappointed that other political figures were unwilling to join forces with Obi at the time, adding that he was motivated by a sense of duty to Nigeria.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2021, they avoided him. I would have been glad if, in 2022, one of them had gone with Peter Obi. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him. I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation. I took it upon myself because, naturally, I’ve always been a volunteer for the sake of Nigeria. I extended that sympathy,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed, who left the Labour Party for the Peoples Redemption Party in May 2026, also used the interview to emphasis his political independence from Obi, distancing himself from assumptions that he would automatically align with the former Anambra State governor’s future political decisions.
He stressed that while he supported Obi during the 2023 presidential race, that support had limits.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. But I had given enough sympathy there. With due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent,” he said.
The former vice-presidential candidate also questioned Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party, arguing that internal disputes within a political party are not sufficient grounds for defection.
Referring to challenges within the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed maintained that similar issues could arise in any political platform.
“I mean, if Julius Abure was a problem, what makes him think the David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think the chairman of NDC will not be a problem? So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix this problem. Now, let’s work together,” he said.
He added that despite his disagreement with Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party, he remains committed to charting his own political path.
“And he decided to move. Now, with due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent,” Baba-Ahmed reiterated.
The remarks offer fresh insight into the relationship between the former Labour Party presidential ticket holders and highlight growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
