Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has revealed that his decision to run alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was driven primarily by sympathy for Obi after three prominent politicians reportedly declined to join him. Speaking in an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed clarified that his relationship with Obi was not based on political allegiance but on personal empathy and a sense of national duty. He emphasized that many people misinterpret the nature of their partnership, failing to recognize the emotional and moral foundation behind his support.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Obi reached out to three major political figures in 2022 to form a coalition, but all three turned him down. This rejection, he said, deeply affected him and strengthened his resolve to step in and support Obi’s presidential bid. “I would have been glad if in 2022 one of them went with Peter Obi,” he stated. “They all avoided him. I felt bad for him and for Nigeria as a nation.” He added that the reasons behind the rejections are well-known to Nigerians but chose not to disclose them publicly.
Baba-Ahmed made it clear that his involvement in the 2023 election was a voluntary act of service to the country. “I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer for Nigeria,” he said. He stressed that his decision was not based on political calculations or future ambitions, but on a genuine desire to contribute to national progress. He also dismissed speculation that he would automatically follow Obi into any future political party, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He firmly stated that Obi does not control his political choices and that he remains an independent thinker. “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 declared. He reiterated that his support for the Labour Party ticket was a one-time decision made in the interest of Nigeria, not a lifelong commitment to Obi’s political journey.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about political realignments in Nigeria, especially as various parties and figures continue to reposition themselves ahead of future elections. His emphasis on personal autonomy and national service adds a new dimension to the narrative surrounding Obi’s 2023 campaign and its aftermath. As Nigeria’s political landscape evolves, Baba-Ahmed’s stance highlights the complexity of political partnerships and the importance of individual agency in public service.
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