‘I Ran With Peter Obi Out Of Sympathy After He Was Avoided By Three Politicians’ – Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said his decision to run with Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was influenced by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

Naija News reports that Baba-Ahmed said Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2022, but they allegedly declined to join him.

He spoke during an interview with Symfoni, where he said many Nigerians misunderstood the nature of his relationship with Obi.

According to Baba-Ahmed, he felt bad after the politicians allegedly refused to align with Obi’s presidential ambition.

He, however, declined to name the politicians or state why they allegedly turned Obi down.

Baba-Ahmed further stated, “They thought I would follow Peter Obi. 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.

“When he, Peter Obi, 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. You and I know the reason and I don’t have to say it now.”

The former senator said his decision to join Obi was voluntary and driven by what he believed was in Nigeria’s interest.

“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer for Nigeria,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed said sympathy played a major role in his political partnership with Obi during the last presidential election.

He also dismissed suggestions that he would automatically follow Obi into another political platform, including the African Democratic Congress.

Baba-Ahmed said he remained politically independent and was not bound to follow Obi’s political decisions.

He added, “They thought I would follow Peter Obi to ADC, but I had given enough sympathy then. Obi does not own me. I own my independence.”