North May Not Back Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket, Says Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

North May Not Back Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket, Says Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticised the exit of Peter Obi from the Labour Party Nigeria, describing it as a sign of weak leadership amid ongoing opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Baba-Ahmed, who recently moved to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), also questioned the political strength of a potential alliance between Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warning that it may struggle to secure support from northern voters.

Speaking to journalists, Baba-Ahmed said regional voting patterns remain a key factor in Nigerian elections, arguing that the proposed political partnership between Obi and Kwankwaso may face resistance in the North. “It is very unlikely that the north will rally around Obi and Kwankwaso,” he said, noting that north-south political dynamics in Nigeria continue to shape electoral outcomes.

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Baba-Ahmed revealed that he had earlier advised Obi to build broader political alliances, including engaging Kwankwaso and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as part of early preparations for the 2027 elections. According to him, the emerging alignment between Obi and Kwankwaso reflects suggestions he made in 2024, although he expressed doubts about its effectiveness. “So they are going together now with Kwankwaso; it’s my idea… Will it work? I think it’s a big question. We’ll wait and see,” he said. He also questioned why Kwankwaso did not support Obi in the 2023 elections, suggesting that unresolved political disagreements could weaken any renewed cooperation.

Baba-Ahmed also faulted Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party during its internal crisis, arguing that the former Anambra State governor should have stayed to resolve the party’s challenges. “Someone who got a Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed to fix the problems of the Labour Party,” he said. He added that leadership in a politically complex country like Nigeria requires resilience and the willingness to confront internal disputes rather than abandon them. “A leader must be firm… You are going into politics, which is a contact sport. If you are not ready to fight, stay in your house,” he said.

The comments come amid ongoing Nigeria opposition realignment efforts, with political figures repositioning and exploring new coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the emerging alliances between key opposition figures highlight both the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the challenges of building a united front capable of challenging dominant political structures.