Peter Obi has responded to Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s assertion that none of the politicians seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu can bring the change Nigeria needs. The former running mates contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party ticket.
Baba-Ahmed made the statement during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast. “None of the people running against President Tinubu can change the country,” he said before confirming, when asked specifically about his former running mate, “Including Peter Obi.”
During an interview with Arise TV’s Ojinika Okpe, the former Anambra governor relied on his record in the state rather than engage the criticism directly. “I can only use an example of where I passed through. I passed through Anambra State and I improved the state, in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” he said.
He also identified the cost of government as an area he would tackle at the federal level. “I’m definitely sure that if given the opportunities, first I’ll bring civility and order and governance. I’ll be able to cut the cost of governance, which is irresponsible today. I’ll be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour, respect to the country,” he said.
The former vice-presidential candidate previously explained why he entered the 2023 campaign. In a June interview with Symfoni, he said Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2022, but none agreed to join him.
He said their refusal left him disappointed and prompted him to volunteer for the campaign. “When he approached three major politicians in 2022 they avoided him. I would have been glad if in 2022 one of them went with Peter Obi. They all avoided him. I felt bad for him and for Nigeria as a nation.”
He also described the personal sentiment behind his decision. “People don’t understand between me and Peter Obi, I have a great deal of sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”
That relationship did not lead to an automatic political alliance after the election. Responding to speculation that he would follow Obi to the African Democratic Congress, he said, “Obi does not own me. I own my independence.”
He declined to name the three politicians he said had rejected the earlier approach, although he said he knew why they had declined.
The question of regional backing has also featured in his comments about the opposition. In May, he said candidates would face difficulties securing sufficient support across northern Nigeria because of regional interests, electoral calculations, existing structures and the personalities involved.
He gave his view of Obi’s prospects in the region in direct terms: “It is very unlikely that the North will rally around OK. That is my personal opinion.”
Obi now represents the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Baba-Ahmed continues to operate independently after their 2023 partnership.
