Peter Obi's 2023 presidential campaign gained a key ally when Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed agreed to run as his vice-presidential candidate, a decision Baba-Ahmed now says stemmed from personal sympathy rather than long-standing political alignment. In an interview with Symfoni, Baba-Ahmed revealed that Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2022 to join him on the Labour Party ticket, but all declined. Stating that he was moved by the rejection Obi faced, Baba-Ahmed said this influenced his decision to accept the running mate position. He emphasized that many misunderstood the nature of their relationship, clarifying that it was not built on prior political ties but on a sense of solidarity at a critical moment. Baba-Ahmed did not name the politicians who allegedly turned down Obi or explain their reasons for doing so. He also rejected the assumption that he would automatically follow Obi into any future political movement, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC. Stressing his political independence, Baba-Ahmed maintained that his support for Obi was a one-time decision made in what he believed was the best interest of Nigeria. He said: "They thought I would follow Peter Obi. P…"—a statement left incomplete in the source. Baba-Ahmed made clear that Obi does not have control over his political future, and he remains free to make independent choices going forward.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

Datti Baba-Ahmed's admission that sympathy, not strategy, drove his decision to join Peter Obi's 2023 ticket undermines the narrative of a strong political alliance built on shared ideology. His refusal to name the three politicians who declined Obi leaves unanswered questions about the former governor's level of appeal within the political class. If major figures were unwilling to associate with Obi even before the election, it suggests deeper challenges for his continued influence. His former running mate's insistence on independence signals that Obi's political capital may be more symbolic than structural.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →