Former Labour Party vice presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has criticised his former running mate Peter Obi, saying he should stay away from the 2027 presidential race if he is not ready to face political challenges.
Baba-Ahmed spoke during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he faulted Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid internal disputes.
“If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” he said, while reacting to Obi’s exit from the party.
He said Obi should have remained in the party to address its challenges, noting that a candidate who secured the party’s ticket had a responsibility to work through its issues.
“As much as I dislike what the All Progressives Congress has done against Nigerians, someone who got the Labour Party’s ticket should have stayed to fix the problem of the party, no matter how difficult it is,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also questioned Obi’s approach to political disagreements. “My former leader saying that wherever there is a quarrel, he will walk away? So there is a quarrel in Nigeria, will he walk away?” he added.
He further expressed doubts about Obi’s chances of securing support from northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election, stating that it is unlikely the region would unite behind him.
He said the position reflects his personal view and added that he still maintains a relationship with political figures involved.
Baba-Ahmed said he had earlier advised Obi to begin building alliances ahead of the next election cycle.
According to him, he suggested on January 31, 2024, that Obi should engage politicians such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai.
He said early planning is part of political preparation and added that failure to take steps ahead of time raises concerns about readiness.
Obi had earlier left the Labour Party after the 2023 election. He also confirmed his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ASC), citing internal disputes within the party.
