ABUJA, Nigeria — In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has launched a scathing critique of his former principal, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an explosive interview released on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Baba-Ahmed questioned Obi’s political resilience and commitment, following the former Anambra governor’s recent defection from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the newly formed Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Fix the Problem”
Baba-Ahmed expressed deep disappointment over Obi’s decision to abandon the Labour Party (LP) amidst its internal leadership struggles. He argued that after benefiting from the party’s platform in 2023, Obi owed it to his supporters to stay and resolve the crises.
“Someone who got the Labour Party’s ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problem of the party, no matter how difficult it is,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
A Pattern of Exit
The critique took a sharper turn when Baba-Ahmed addressed Obi’s tendency to exit political organizations during times of friction. Referencing Obi’s recent statement that he prefers to walk away from quarrels, Baba-Ahmed countered that such a temperament is unsuitable for national leadership.
“My former leader saying that wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away? So if there is a quarrel in Nigeria, will he walk away? If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” he added.
Doubts Over Northern Support
Baba-Ahmed also cast a shadow over the potential 2027 alliance between Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. He expressed doubt that the Northern voting bloc would consolidate behind a joint ticket involving the two leaders, describing the prospect of such support as “very unlikely.”
Shifting Alliances
The fallout comes just days after Obi and Kwankwaso officially joined the NDC on May 3, 2026, citing a “toxic” atmosphere within the ADC. This latest move marks Obi’s second party change in less than a year as he seeks a stable platform for a 2027 presidential bid.
The remarks underscore a growing rift within the opposition camp, which remains fragmented as heavyweights across various parties begin the complex process of realignment for the next election cycle.
