POLITICS
I Joined Peter Obi Out of Sympathy After Three Top Politicians Rejected Him – Datti Baba-Ahmed
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says he joined forces with Peter Obi out of sympathy.
Baba-Ahmed spoke during an interview with media outlet Symfoni.
He said Obi had approached three prominent politicians ahead of the 2023 election, but none agreed to run with him.
According to him, his decision to become Obi’s running mate was driven by sympathy for the ex-Anambra governor and the country’s political situation at the time.
“People don’t understand that between me and Obi, there is a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship,” he said.
“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation.”
Baba-Ahmed said he voluntarily stepped in because he believed it was in the country’s best interest to do so.
“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he said.
On March 7, Obi formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) months after announcing his intention to align with the opposition coalition.
However, on May 3, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, quit the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing “uncertainties” over the party’s future.
Before leaving LP, Obi fell out with Julius Abure, factional chairman of the party, over alleged irreconcilable differences.
Baba-Ahmed faulted Obi’s decision to leave the party amid its leadership crisis, arguing that political challenges exist across parties and should be resolved rather than avoided.
“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?” he asked.
“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move.”
Baba-Ahmed added that his political identity is independent of Obi’s, saying their alliance in 2022 did not amount to political ownership.
“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed has since pitched tent with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after announcing his exit from the LP
POLITICS
APC Chairman Reaffirms Eric Opah as Abia Governorship Candidate for 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has put to rest speculation over its governorship ticket, with the state Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, reaffirming Eric Opah as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FLO 94.9 FM, Chukwu declared that all controversies surrounding the party’s primaries have been resolved, and the results announced by the primary election committee — and subsequently ratified by the APC National Working Committee — remain valid and binding.
“The results of the primaries as announced by the primary election committee and ratified by the National Working Committee stand,” Chukwu said. He stressed that Eric Opah is the authentic governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State.
The chairman called on all party members to bury their differences and close ranks in order to build a formidable APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
In the same interview, Chukwu also confirmed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna will be the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.
POLITICS
ADC Accuses Justice Lifu of Acting in Contempt of Court
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Justice Peter Lifu acted in contempt of court by issuing a judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other political parties despite a pending appeal.
According to Abdullahi, the Court of Appeal had directed that no action should be taken on the matter until the appeal is heard on October 27. He argued that proceeding with the judgment before the appellate court’s determination amounts to a disregard for the court’s directive.
“Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who gave the judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other parties, should be arrested. The Appeal Court said don’t act until the case is heard on October 27. He’s acting in contempt of court,” Abdullahi stated.
The remarks add a new dimension to the legal and political controversy surrounding the status of the affected political parties, with the matter expected to be further addressed when the appeal comes up for hearing.
POLITICS
Kwankwaso’s Son Emerges as Kano NDC Deputy Governorship Candidate
KANO — Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leading figure in the party and former governor of Kano State.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political realignments within the NDC in Kano. The party recently unveiled Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for the state, following consultations among party stakeholders.
Political observers say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate is expected to generate discussions within Kano’s political landscape, given his family ties to the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by his father.
The NDC has continued to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in its chances across key states, including Kano.
Party officials are expected to provide further details on the candidature and campaign strategy in the coming days.
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