I joined Peter Obi’s 2023 ticket out of sympathy, says Baba-Ahmed

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, revealed that his decision to join Peter Obi's ticket for the 2023 election stemmed from sympathy rather than ideological alignment. He described himself as a "volunteer for the sake of Nigeria," stepping in after other prominent politicians declined to partner with Obi.

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When he approached three other major politicians in 2021, they avoided him. I would have been glad if, in 2022, one of them went with Peter Obi. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him. I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation… I took it upon myself because, naturally, I’ve always been a volunteer for the sake of Nigeria. I extended that sympathy.

In a video interview, Baba-Ahmed explained that he felt compassion for both Obi and the state of the nation. "When he approached three other major politicians in 2021, they avoided him," he said. "I felt bad for him. I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation… I took it upon myself because, naturally, I’ve always been a volunteer for the sake of Nigeria."

Baba-Ahmed, who recently defected to the Peoples Redemption Party, used the interview to distinguish his political path from Obi's. He stressed that his support had limits and that Obi does not dictate his political future. "They thought I would follow Peter Obi. But I had given enough sympathy there… With due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent," he stated.

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They thought I would follow Peter Obi. But I had given enough sympathy there… With due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent

He also commented on Obi's decision to leave the Labour Party, citing internal crises. Baba-Ahmed argued that such challenges are common and should be addressed rather than leading to defection. "Stay here and fix this problem. Now, let’s work together. And he decided to move," he remarked, reiterating his stance on independence.

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I mean, if (Julius) Aburi was a problem, what makes him think the David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? “What makes him think the chairman of Seriake (Senator Seriake Dickson) of NDC will not be a problem? So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix this problem. Now, let’s work together.