Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has explained why he no longer believes Peter Obi should be handed Nigeria’s presidency if President Bola Tinubu were to leave office, insisting that neither Obi nor former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should automatically succeed him.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Mic On programme, where he was questioned about his apparent change of position towards Obi, whom he previously supported as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Explaining his position, Baba-Ahmed said Obi had moved beyond his comfort zone and ignored advice he personally gave him concerning his political direction.
According to him, he had an opportunity to speak privately with Obi when the former Anambra State governor was considering joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Baba-Ahmed claimed he advised Obi against the move, telling him that the political platform was not the right place for him.
He further alleged that Obi eventually left the ADC within four months, describing the development as an example of political inconsistency.
Baba-Ahmed said his disagreement with Obi had gone beyond their political differences, adding that he could no longer offer assistance after Obi decided to disregard his counsel.
He also criticised what he described as a pattern among Nigerian politicians who move from one political party to another whenever they fail to secure their interests.
Referencing politicians who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), only to later abandon the APC for another political platform, he questioned whether such individuals had genuinely changed their political principles.
The former vice-presidential candidate maintained that his position was not driven by a desire to defend any particular political party, insisting that he was more interested in discussing Nigeria’s political direction from a broader philosophical perspective.
Baba-Ahmed also distanced himself from being described as a career politician, declaring that he had never been ashamed to say he was not a politician.
His comments have drawn attention because of his previous political partnership with Obi during the 2023 presidential election, raising fresh questions about the relationship between the two former Labour Party allies and their positions ahead of the 2027 general election
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