By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and Peter Obi |
The Nigerian political landscape has been set ablaze following a scathing critique from Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate. In a candid interview, Baba-Ahmed expressed deep disappointment in his former running mate, Peter Obi, accusing him of aligning with the very individuals responsible for Nigeria's current economic and social hardships.
The controversy stems from Peter Obi’s high-profile defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition on December 31. This move was intended to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Baba-Ahmed views the move not as a strategic masterstroke, but as a betrayal of the "Obidient" movement’s core values.
Baba-Ahmed argued that the ADC coalition is populated by the same political actors who orchestrated the rise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 a party he describes as a "dragon" currently destroying the nation.
Speaking with Daily Trust, Baba-Ahmed did not mince words regarding the composition of Obi’s new political home. He highlighted that nearly every major player in the ADC, excluding Obi himself, played a pivotal role in establishing the ruling party.
“Most importantly, these are the people who created the APC dragon that is destroying Nigeria today,” Baba-Ahmed stated. “Nothing has fundamentally changed about them. One of them is even in prison.”
While he acknowledged personal respect for individuals within the coalition naming Atiku Abubakar and describing Rotimi Amaechi as an "achiever" and a "lion" he remained firm that the collective group represents a "lesser evil" rather than a genuine solution for Nigeria.
When questioned on whether Nigerians would be forced to choose between "two evils" in the next election cycle, Baba-Ahmed’s assessment was grim. He suggested that while the ADC might be marginally better than the APC, it remains a recycled version of the same political class that the 2023 movement sought to displace.
Recycled Actors: The ADC is seen as a sanctuary for 2015-era APC architects. Selfish Interests: He previously warned that those joining the coalition are motivated by personal gain rather than national progress. Ideological Shift: The move signifies a departure from the grassroots, "third-force" ideology that defined the 2023 Labour Party campaign.
Peter Obi’s exit from the Labour Party marks a significant fracture in the opposition. As the ADC attempts to build a formidable front against the ruling APC, the public dismissal by his former deputy creates a narrative of internal instability. For many supporters, the question remains: Can a coalition built from the architects of the past truly provide a different future for Nigeria?