Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has said his decision to run alongside Peter Obi was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor and the political circumstances at the time.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni, where he reflected on how the 2023 ticket was formed.
According to him, Obi had initially reached out to several prominent political figures to serve as his running mate, but they all declined the offer before he eventually stepped in.
“People don’t understand that between me and Obi, there is a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship,” he said.
He explained that he would have preferred if any of the earlier approached politicians had agreed to partner with Obi, adding that his own involvement came from a sense of responsibility.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed said he ultimately chose to support Obi voluntarily, describing himself as someone who often steps in where needed for the sake of national interest.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he said.
He also commented on Obi’s later political moves, including his exit from the Labour Party amid internal leadership disputes, arguing that similar challenges exist across political parties.
“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?” he asked.
“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move.”
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his political identity remains independent, stressing that his alliance with Obi in 2022 did not amount to ownership or long-term political alignment.
