Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed that sympathy for Peter Obi played a significant role in his decision to become the former Anambra State governor’s running mate during the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed said he felt compelled to support Obi after witnessing what he described as a lack of political backing from key figures whom Obi had approached ahead of the election.
According to him, Obi sought alliances with three prominent politicians in 2022, but none of them agreed to join forces with him. Although Baba-Ahmed declined to reveal their identities or the reasons they allegedly rejected Obi’s overtures, he suggested that the development left him disappointed and concerned about the country’s political direction.
He explained that many Nigerians have misunderstood the relationship between himself and Obi, insisting that their partnership was not built on political dependency but rather on a personal conviction that Obi deserved support at a critical moment.
Baba-Ahmed said he was troubled by the reluctance of influential politicians to align with Obi and felt it was necessary to step forward in what he believed was the national interest.
Reflecting on the circumstances that led to their alliance, he noted that he would have been pleased if any of the politicians Obi approached had accepted the offer, adding that their refusal motivated him to volunteer his support for the Labour Party candidate.
The former senator also used the opportunity to dismiss claims that he is politically tied to Obi or obligated to follow him into any future political movement, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He stressed that while he supported Obi’s presidential ambition in 2023, he remains an independent political actor capable of making his own decisions.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his participation in the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and driven by his belief in contributing to Nigeria’s progress, rather than loyalty to any individual politician.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi wherever he goes. People do not fully understand the nature of my relationship with him. I had a great deal of sympathy for him, and that sympathy was at the core of our partnership,” he said.
He continued: “When Peter Obi approached three major politicians in 2022, they all avoided him. I would have been happy if even one of them had agreed to work with him. Their refusal made me feel bad for him and for Nigeria. I decided to step in because I have always seen myself as a volunteer for Nigeria.”
Reiterating his political independence, Baba-Ahmed added: “They thought I would follow Peter Obi to the ADC, but I had already given my support when it mattered. Obi does not own me. I own my independence.”
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about political realignments ahead of future elections and speculation over the next political moves of key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and members of the Labour Party movement.
