Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has condemned Peter Obi’s departure from the party during its internal strife, calling it an indication of poor leadership.

Prior to the general elections in 2027, Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in 2023, also voiced scepticism that northern people would back a political union between Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

As part of continuous opposition realignments, Obi and Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), as reported by THE WHISTLER on Sunday.

After switching to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Baba-Ahmed told reporters on Monday that his stance was personal and that he still had positive relationships with both lawmakers.

In order to prepare for the 2027 elections, he said that he had previously counselled Obi to speak with Kwankwaso and other opposition leaders. He also mentioned the recent cooperation between the former governors.

His words: “As much as possible, I try to avoid names of anybody at this stage or the politics of anyone. But it is very unlikely that the north will rally around Obi and Kwankwaso.

“I did say that I feel guilty because I was the one who told Peter Obi on the 31st of January 2024 in John Woods’ hotel. After asking him a few things, I told him, ‘Your excellency, from this point there is Kwankwaso, there is el-Rufai, and there’s another person. I would like to suggest you approach them.

“The business that I do now, which started around 2011, I was planning as far back as 1996, and if in 2024 you cannot plan for 2027, I’m sorry I cannot continue to be with you.