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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has cast doubt on the chances of Peter Obi securing support from Northern Nigeria in the 2027 presidential election, while also criticising his former running mate’s political decisions and approach to leadership.
Speaking during a recent interview and press interaction, Baba-Ahmed said it was “very unlikely” that the North would rally behind any proposed alliance involving Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. According to him, regional political dynamics remain a decisive factor in Nigeria’s electoral outcomes.
“It is very unlikely that the North will rally around that arrangement. That is my personal opinion,” he stated, even as he maintained that he still holds both Obi and Kwankwaso in high regard.
Baba-Ahmed also used the opportunity to question Obi’s recent political moves, particularly his exit from the Labour Party, where both men contested the 2023 presidential election. He argued that Obi should have remained within the party to address its internal crises rather than walking away.
“As much as I disagree with what the APC has done to Nigerians, someone who got the Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the party’s problems, no matter how difficult,” he said.
In a more pointed remark, the former vice-presidential candidate challenged Obi’s perceived aversion to political confrontation, warning that such an approach may be ill-suited for Nigeria’s political terrain.
“My former leader said 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,” Baba-Ahmed declared.
Reflecting on their past engagements, Baba-Ahmed revealed that he had advised Obi as far back as January 2024 to begin early strategic planning for the 2027 election, including building alliances with key political figures. He noted that while some of those recommendations appear to be taking shape, the evolving alliances raise fresh concerns about consistency and political viability.
He questioned the logic behind new alignments, particularly why certain political actors who declined to support one another in previous elections are now seeking to collaborate. “What changed between 2022 and 2023?” he asked, suggesting that such shifts could undermine public trust.
Baba-Ahmed further pointed to potential internal contradictions in any Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, including differences in political weight, regional dominance, and leadership ambition, warning that such factors could complicate unity within a coalition.
He also highlighted Kwankwaso’s strong base in Kano and the wider North, raising doubts about how supporters would react if their preferred candidate were to assume a secondary role in a joint ticket.
Despite his criticisms, Baba-Ahmed reiterated his respect for Obi but insisted that effective leadership in Nigeria requires firmness, consistency, and the willingness to confront challenges head-on.
“You are going into politics, which is a contact sport in a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria. If you don’t want to argue or fight for your mandate, then this is not your game,” he said.
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