Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has alleged that his decision to become the running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was born out of sympathy for him.
He made this known during a recent interview with the Nigerian digital news platform, Symfoni TV.
According to Baba-Ahmed, he opted to run alongside Obi under the LP banner after three prominent politicians approached by the former Anambra State governor in 2022 allegedly declined the offer.
He noted that he was disappointed by the situation and felt compelled to support Obi’s presidential bid out of pity for both the candidate and the nation.
He, however, declined to disclose the identities of the politicians or the reasons they allegedly refused the slot.
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The former senator further noted that many people misunderstood the nature of his relationship with Obi, dismissing suggestions that he would automatically follow him into any future political platform, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He emphasized that his political choices are entirely independent, maintaining that his support for the 2023 Labour Party ticket was a voluntary decision made in what he believed to be the best interest of Nigeria.
Baba-Ahmed said: “They thought I would follow Peter Obi. People don’t understand between me and Peter Obi, I have a great deal of sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship. People find it difficult to understand me.
“When he, Peter Obi, approached three major politicians in 2022 they avoided him. I would have been glad if in 2022 one of them went with Peter Obi. They all avoided him. I felt bad for him and for Nigeria as a nation. You and I know the reason and I don’t have to say it now.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer for Nigeria.
“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.”
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