RismadarVoice Reporters
September 13, 2026
The Former Labour Party presidential running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said Peter Obi remains his political boss, despite their current differences over Nigeria’s political future.
Mr Baba-Ahmed also said he could have assisted Mr Obi during the recent incident in Benue State if the former Anambra State governor had reached out to him.
The former vice-presidential candidate made the remarks while responding to criticism over his recent assessment of the leading opposition figures seeking to succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Mr Baba-Ahmed said his political differences with Mr Obi had not affected their personal relationship. “Obi is my boss. I still call him my boss,” he said.
He explained that he remained close enough to Mr Obi to contact him directly and receive a response.
According to him, he could easily reach the former governor by phone and would have expected him to seek his assistance during the incident in Benue.
Mr Baba-Ahmed was referring to an incident in which Mr Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked by suspected thugs while he was travelling to Yelwata for a humanitarian visit.
He said Mr Obi knew he could have intervened and provided assistance if he had been contacted.
“He knows I could have helped out in Benue. My relationship with Peter is solid,” he said.
The comments followed criticism of an earlier interview Mr Baba-Ahmed granted Mic On Podcast, during which he argued that President Tinubu should leave office and questioned the capacity of the major presidential contenders to transform Nigeria.
When asked whether his assessment included Mr Obi, his former running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Baba-Ahmed replied in the affirmative.
“Yes, including Peter Obi,” he said.
The remark triggered reactions from supporters of Mr Obi, who questioned how Mr Baba-Ahmed could doubt the former governor’s capacity to lead Nigeria after jointly contesting the 2023 presidential election with him.
