Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, has sharply criticized his former running mate Peter Obi, urging him to “stay in your house” if he is not prepared to fight for the presidency in 2027. His remarks, made during an interview on Symfoni TV, have stirred debate across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Baba Ahmed faulted Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party during a period of internal crisis, arguing that a leader should remain to confront challenges rather than walk away. “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 asked, adding that someone who secured the party’s ticket easily should have stayed to fix its problems.
The outspoken politician went further, warning Obi against contesting in 2027 without a clear strategy. He said that while he dislikes what the ruling All Progressives Congress has done to Nigerians, opposition leaders must show resilience and readiness to fight if they hope to win.
Baba-Ahmed also raised doubts about Obi’s ability to secure strong backing from Northern Nigeria, a region critical to any presidential victory. He described it as unlikely that northern political blocs would unite behind Obi, stressing that alliances must be built years in advance.
He revealed that on January 31, 2024, he advised Obi to begin reaching out to influential northern figures such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir El Rufai. According to him, early coalition-building is essential, and failure to plan ahead raises questions about readiness for the high stakes 2027 race.
Public reaction has been divided. Supporters of Baba-Ahmed praised his candor, saying his comments reflect the frustrations of many Nigerians who want stronger opposition leadership. Obi’s loyalists, however, dismissed the remarks as unnecessary provocation, insisting that Obi remains a credible candidate with grassroots appeal.
On social media, the exchange quickly trended, with Nigerians debating whether Obi’s cautious approach is a sign of weakness or a deliberate strategy to avoid unnecessary conflict. Some argued that Baba-Ahmed’s blunt words highlight the urgency of building a united opposition, while others saw them as deepening divisions within the Labour Party.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the rift between two of the opposition’s most recognizable figures underscores the challenges ahead. Whether Obi heeds Baba-Ahmed’s advice or charts his own course will be closely watched, as the outcome could shape the future of Nigeria’s political opposition.
