Obi Replies Former Running Mate Datti Over Claim That He Cannot Change Nigeria

Peter Obi has responded to a recent claim by his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, that none of the politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, including Obi, can bring the change Nigeria needs.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said his record as governor of Anambra State showed that he could deliver improvements in critical areas of development if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria.

The former Anambra State governor made the clarification during an interview with Ojinika Okpe of Arise TV.

Okpe reminded Obi of Baba-Ahmed’s comment that he could not improve Nigeria and asked him to respond to the statement.

Obi said he would rather point to his record in Anambra State as evidence of what he could achieve at the national level.

“Well, I can only use an example of where I passed through. I passed through Anambra State and I improved the state, in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” Obi said.

He added that if given the opportunity to lead the country, his administration would focus on restoring order and improving governance, while also reducing what he described as the excessive cost of running government.

“I’m definitely sure that if given the opportunities, first I’ll bring civility and order and governance. I’ll be able to cut the cost of governance, which is irresponsible today. I’ll be able to do quite a number of things that will bring honour, respect to the country,” he said.

Obi’s response followed a recent statement by Baba-Ahmed, who served as his running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed made the comment during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast while discussing the 2027 presidential election and the politicians positioning themselves to challenge Tinubu.

“None of the people running against President Tinubu can change the country,” Baba-Ahmed said.

When he was specifically asked whether the statement included Obi, his former principal, Baba-Ahmed replied, “Including Peter Obi.”

Baba-Ahmed had previously stressed that his political independence does not depend on Obi and that he does not consider himself politically tied to his former principal.

In an earlier interview with Symfoni in June, Baba-Ahmed explained that sympathy for Obi played an important role in his decision to become his running mate in 2023.

According to him, Obi had approached three prominent politicians in 2022 as he sought to build a political alliance, but they allegedly declined to join him. Baba-Ahmed said he felt disappointed for Obi and Nigeria and subsequently decided to volunteer himself for the political project.

“They thought I would follow Peter Obi,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“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.”

He added, “When he 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.”

Baba-Ahmed said he knew the reasons why the politicians chose not to work with Obi but declined to identify them or disclose the specific circumstances surrounding their decisions.

He also rejected suggestions that his political choices would automatically follow those of Obi after the 2023 election.

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

Baba-Ahmed has also previously expressed doubts about the ability of opposition politicians to build a strong and sustainable political alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of 2027.

In May, he discussed the difficulty of securing political support across northern Nigeria, arguing that regional influence, electoral calculations, political structures and the personalities involved would remain important factors in determining the success of opposition candidates.

“It is very unlikely that the North will rally around OK. That is my personal opinion,” he said.