Baba-Ahmed joins PRP, cites personal conviction

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has publicly detailed the personal motivations behind his 2022 alliance with Peter Obi and explained his subsequent political divergence, framing both decisions as matters of personal conviction rather than ambition. The remarks, made across several recent interviews, highlight a significant fracture within the opposition movement that emerged strongly during Nigeria's 2023 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed disclosed that his decision to become Obi’s running mate was driven primarily by sympathy, both for Obi personally and for the nation. He stated that before his entry into the race, Obi had been turned down by at least three other prominent political figures who were approached to be his running mate. Baba-Ahmed said he felt compassion for Obi’s situation and for Nigeria, describing his involvement as a voluntary act of service.

Reflecting on the current political landscape, Baba-Ahmed offered a pointed critique of what he termed "office seekers" rather than true opposition. He argued that authentic opposition requires consistently engaging and challenging the government in power on its...