Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that his decision to run alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was largely driven by sympathy for both Obi and the condition of Nigeria, rather than political calculations.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed said Obi initially sought partnerships with three influential politicians before eventually approaching him, but all of them declined the offer.
According to him, their refusal prompted him to step forward, believing it was necessary to support a cause he considered important for the country.
“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 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 left the Labour Party for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in May 2026, used the interview to stress his political independence from Obi.
The former senator said his support for Obi during the 2023 election should not be interpreted as permanent political allegiance, insisting that he remains free to pursue his own political path.
“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 stated.
Baba-Ahmed also criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party, arguing that internal party disputes are not sufficient grounds for abandoning a political platform.
Drawing comparisons with other parties, he said leadership disagreements are common across the political landscape and should be resolved rather than avoided.
“I mean, if (Julius) Abure was a problem, what makes him think the David Mark of ADC will not be a problem?” he asked.
“What makes him think the chairman of Seriake Dickson’s 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.”
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