RismadarVoice Reporters
September 11, 2026
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has defended his recent comments about former presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying public reactions focused more on his reference to Obi than the wider issues he raised about Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed had attracted criticism after an interview with Seun Okinbaloye, where he stated that none of the major presidential contenders, including Obi, whom he supported as running mate in the 2023 election, had the capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges.
Speaking to the media, Baba-Ahmed explained that his comments were made while discussing the need for a fair electoral process and an equal opportunity for all potential presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the discussion initially focused on President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar before the interviewer asked whether his assessment also applied to Obi.
Baba-Ahmed said his response was intended to affirm that the principle of fairness should apply to all political actors, rather than an endorsement of any particular candidate.
According to him, the limited time available during the interview led to his brief response of “yes, including Peter Obi,” which later became the main focus of public debate.
He expressed concern that the broader issues he raised about democracy, political principles and electoral fairness were overlooked because of the attention given to his remarks about Obi.
The former Labour Party chieftain also questioned reactions to his criticism of Obi, arguing that politicians should have the freedom to make political decisions and change alliances.
“Am I not a Nigerian?” Baba-Ahmed asked, while responding to what he described as double standards in reactions to political movements and defections.
He recalled his disagreement with Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying he had advised against the move because he believed it was not the right political platform for him.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his position was based on his views about political strategy and democratic principles, insisting that his intention was to contribute to discussions about Nigeria’s political future rather than target any individual.
He said the focus on his remarks about Obi had overshadowed what he described as wider arguments about governance, electoral fairness and the state of political discourse in the country.
