Three years after Nigeria’s fiercely contested 2023 presidential election, former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has made a startling disclosure about what led him to join forces with Peter Obi.
Contrary to popular belief that their partnership was purely political, Baba-Ahmed says sympathy played a significant role in his decision to become Obi’s running mate.
The revelation has sparked fresh conversations about the events that shaped one of the most talked-about political alliances in recent Nigerian history.
The Politicians Who Allegedly Turned Obi Down
Speaking during an interview, Baba-Ahmed claimed that Obi approached three prominent politicians in 2022 in search of political partnership ahead of the presidential election.
According to him, all three allegedly declined the opportunity.
Although he refused to reveal their identities, the former senator suggested that their decision left a lasting impression on him.
The disclosure raises fresh questions about what was happening behind the scenes before the Labour Party’s unexpected rise during the 2023 election cycle.
“I Felt Bad for Him and for Nigeria”
Baba-Ahmed admitted that he was deeply moved by Obi’s situation after learning that several political figures had allegedly chosen not to align with him.
According to him, the experience generated a sense of sympathy not only for Obi but also for the country.
He hinted that there were reasons behind the alleged rejection but declined to elaborate further.
His comments have already fueled speculation among political observers eager to identify the individuals he referenced.
A Partnership Built on More Than Politics?
While many Nigerians viewed the Obi-Datti ticket as a strategic political alliance, Baba-Ahmed says the relationship was shaped by more personal considerations.
He stated that the sympathy he felt for Obi became a major foundation of their political partnership.
The former vice-presidential candidate suggested that many supporters and critics misunderstood the nature of the bond they shared throughout the campaign.
“I Volunteered for Nigeria”
Explaining his decision to accept the vice-presidential role, Baba-Ahmed insisted that nobody pressured him into joining the ticket.
Instead, he described himself as someone who has always been willing to step forward whenever he believes the country’s interests are at stake.
According to him, his decision was driven by personal conviction and a desire to contribute to Nigeria’s future.
Datti Distances Himself From Obi’s Future Political Moves
Baba-Ahmed also addressed speculation surrounding his political future and whether he would automatically follow Obi into another political platform.
The former senator firmly dismissed that notion.
He stressed that while he worked closely with Obi during the 2023 election, he remains politically independent and free to make his own decisions.
“Peter Obi Does Not Own Me”
In one of the most striking moments of the interview, Baba-Ahmed declared that his political loyalty has limits.
Responding to suggestions that he could follow Obi into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any future political movement, he made it clear that he is not obligated to do so.
According to him, the sympathy that influenced their 2023 alliance belonged to that particular moment in Nigeria’s political history.
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He maintained that while he respects Obi, he remains his own political actor and will chart his own course moving forward.
Fresh Questions Ahead of 2027
Baba-Ahmed’s comments have reopened debates about the internal dynamics of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
His remarks are also likely to trigger renewed interest in the identities of the three politicians he claims turned Obi down before the election.
As conversations about 2027 continue to gather momentum, the former vice-presidential candidate’s revelations may add a new layer of intrigue to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
