Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has revealed that his decision to run alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election was partly driven by sympathy, following what he described as failed alliance attempts by the former presidential candidate.

Baba-Ahmed made the disclosure during an interview on Symfoni, where he spoke about the political dynamics that shaped the Labour Party’s 2023 ticket.

Failed Political Alliances

According to him, Peter Obi approached three influential politicians in 2022 in an attempt to build broader support ahead of the election, but the efforts did not succeed.

He said the situation influenced his personal decision to step in as Obi’s running mate, describing it as a response shaped by both sympathy and concern for the country’s political direction.

Baba-Ahmed, however, declined to disclose the identities of the politicians involved or the reasons they reportedly turned down the offer.

Clarifies Political Independence

The former senator also dismissed suggestions that he is politically tied to Obi or obligated to follow him into any future political arrangement, including any emerging coalition platforms.

He stressed that his decision in 2023 was personal and based on his interpretation of Nigeria’s political situation at the time.

Baba-Ahmed added that while he worked with Obi during the election, he remains an independent political actor with no binding political obligation to the former Anambra governor.

The comments add a new layer to ongoing discussions around the 2023 Labour Party presidential campaign and internal dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition politics.