Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that his decision to team up with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election was largely driven by sympathy for both the former Anambra State governor and Nigeria’s political situation at the time.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni, Datti disclosed that before he agreed to become Obi’s running mate, the former presidential candidate had reportedly approached three influential politicians in search of a running mate, but none was willing to join him.
According to Datti, he felt disappointed by the situation and believed Obi deserved support, especially at a time when many Nigerians were looking for an alternative political movement.
The former senator explained that his relationship with Obi was built on empathy and a shared desire to contribute to Nigeria’s future. He noted that seeing other political figures distance themselves from Obi influenced his decision to step forward and accept the offer.
Datti said he has always viewed himself as someone willing to volunteer for causes he believes in, adding that he felt compelled to support Obi because he believed it was in the best interest of the country.
However, despite their partnership during the 2023 election, Datti made it clear that he remains an independent political figure and should not be viewed as someone whose political future is tied entirely to Obi.
The former vice-presidential candidate also expressed reservations about Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its leadership crisis. According to him, political parties naturally experience internal disputes, and leaders should focus on resolving such challenges instead of moving from one platform to another.
Referencing Obi’s subsequent moves from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and later to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Datti questioned whether changing parties truly solves underlying political disagreements.
He argued that leadership disputes can arise in any political organisation and suggested that staying behind to fix existing problems often demonstrates stronger leadership than moving elsewhere.
Datti further emphasised that while he worked closely with Obi during the 2023 election, their alliance did not translate into political ownership or dependence.
His comments come amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election, with several prominent politicians changing parties and forming new alliances.
Meanwhile, Datti has since aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after announcing his departure from the Labour Party.
Source: Symfoni Interview
