Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has sharply criticised his ex-running mate Peter Obi, saying anyone unwilling to fight political battles should stay away from the 2027 presidential race.
In a pointed interview that has gone viral on social media, Datti took issue with Obi’s recent defection from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a pattern of walking away from challenges.
Baba-Ahmed, has expressed doubts over the chances of Peter Obi securing northern support ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I as much as possible try to avoid names at this stage or the politics of everyone but it is very unlikely that the North will Rally around OK,” Datti said firmly.
Datti said his position remains a personal opinion, noting that he still maintains “an excellent relationship and much respect” for key political figures involved.
He revealed that as far back as January 31, 2024, he had advised Obi to begin strategic political alignments. According to him, “I told him, ‘Your Excellency, from this point, there is Rabiu Kwankwaso, there is Nasir El-Rufai, I will like to suggest that you approach them.’”
Datti added that his advice was rooted in long-term political planning, stressing, “If in 2024 you cannot plan 2027, I am sorry I can’t continue to be with you.”
He noted that Obi is now moving politically alongside Kwankwaso but questioned the viability of the alliance. “Will it work? It’s a big question. We’ll wait and see,” he said.
The former running mate also appeared to criticise Obi’s handling of internal party issues, stating that “someone who got Labour Party ticket should have stayed and fixed the problems.”
“As much as I dislike what the All Progressives Congress has done against Nigerians, someone who got the Labour Party’s ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problem of the party no matter how difficult it is,” Datti said.
He expressed disappointment over Obi’s approach to internal party conflicts.
“My former leader (Peter Obi) saying that wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away? So there is a quarrel in Nigeria, will he walk away? If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” Datti declared.
Datti further questioned the viability of a potential Obi-Kwankwaso ticket in northern Nigeria, stating that the region would not support such an alliance. He listed several criteria in which former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ranks higher than Obi.
The criticism comes barely 24 hours after Obi and Kwankwaso were formally received into the NDC, as opposition figures continue realigning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former senator maintained that Obi let him down by leaving the Labour Party instead of staying to resolve its internal crises.
