Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that sympathy for Peter Obi and concern over Nigeria’s challenges played a major role in his decision to accept the party’s vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.
Baba-Ahmed made the disclosure 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 to be his running mate before the 2023 election, but they all declined the offer.
He said their refusal prompted him to step forward, describing his decision as a voluntary contribution to Nigeria’s political future.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. Now, people don’t understand that between me and Obi, there’s a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He added, “When he approached three other major politicians in 2021, they avoided him. I would have been glad if, in 2022, one of them went 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.”
Baba-Ahmed, who defected from the Labour Party to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in May 2026, used the interview to emphasise his political independence from Obi.
He stressed that while he supported Obi during the 2023 election, the former Anambra State governor does not determine his political future.
“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 criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party, arguing that internal party disputes are not sufficient grounds for defection.
According to Baba-Ahmed, political leaders should remain within their parties and work to resolve internal challenges rather than move elsewhere.
“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.
“And he decided to move. Now, with due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent,” he said.
