Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that his decision to join Peter Obi as running mate in the 2023 presidential election was driven more by sympathy for Obi and concern about Nigeria’s situation than by political alignment.
Baba-Ahmed made the disclosure during an interview with media platform Symfoni, parts of which circulated widely on social media on Wednesday.
The former senator also used the interview to explain why he chose not to follow Obi after both men left the Labour Party, stressing that he remains an independent politician whose political future is not tied to that of his former running mate.
His remarks have generated fresh debate within opposition circles and among supporters of both politicians, particularly as political realignments continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Obi faced difficulties in finding a running mate before the 2023 election and had reportedly approached three prominent politicians who declined to join his presidential ticket.
He said he felt sorry for Obi’s situation and was equally concerned about the state of the country at the time.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. Now, people don’t understand that between me and Obi, there’s a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The former vice-presidential candidate explained that his decision was based on what he considered a national duty rather than personal political ambition.
“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,” he said.
He added that he accepted the offer because he believed he could contribute to efforts aimed at changing the country’s direction.
“I took it upon myself because, naturally, I’ve always been a volunteer for the sake of Nigeria. I extended that sympathy,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
The comments provide a rare insight into the events leading to the formation of the Obi-Datti presidential ticket, which emerged as one of the major political forces during the 2023 election.
At the time, Obi’s movement attracted significant support from young Nigerians, professionals and voters seeking an alternative to the country’s traditional political structures.
The Labour Party campaign gained momentum across many states and was widely regarded as one of the most competitive opposition campaigns in recent Nigerian political history.
Although Obi eventually lost the election, his performance significantly increased the profile of the Labour Party and transformed him into one of the country’s most influential opposition figures.
However, political developments since the election have exposed differences among some of the individuals who worked together during the campaign.
Baba-Ahmed recently left the Labour Party and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in May 2026.
His defection came amid ongoing leadership disputes and internal disagreements that have troubled the Labour Party for several years.
The former senator made it clear during the interview that his decision to chart a separate political path should not come as a surprise.
According to him, many people wrongly assumed he would automatically follow Obi wherever he chose to go politically.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. But I had given enough sympathy there,” he said.
“With due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent.”
The statement appears to be one of Baba-Ahmed’s strongest attempts yet to distance himself politically from Obi while maintaining respect for their previous partnership.
The former vice-presidential candidate also questioned Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party.
After exiting the party, Obi initially aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before later moving to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The former Anambra State governor had cited persistent internal crises within the Labour Party as one of the reasons for his departure.
But Baba-Ahmed argued that party disputes are common in Nigerian politics and should not necessarily lead to defection.
Referring to Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure, Baba-Ahmed suggested that leadership challenges exist in virtually every political party.
“I mean, if Abure was a problem, what makes him think the David Mark of ADC will not be a problem?” he asked.
“What makes him think the chairman of NDC will not be a problem? So it’s the same thing wherever you go.”
He maintained that political leaders should focus on resolving internal disagreements rather than moving from one party to another whenever conflicts arise.
“Stay here and fix this problem. Now, let’s work together. And he decided to move,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Since the conclusion of the 2023 polls, several opposition parties have experienced internal disputes, leadership struggles and defections involving prominent members.
These developments have complicated efforts to build a united opposition front capable of challenging the ruling party in future elections.
Baba-Ahmed’s latest comments also highlight the challenges facing political alliances in Nigeria, where partnerships formed during elections often come under strain after campaigns end.
Despite his criticism of Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed repeatedly emphasized that his disagreement is political rather than personal.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gradually taking shape, statements from key political actors such as Baba-Ahmed and Obi are likely to continue attracting public attention.