Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has mentioned it’s unlikely that Peter Obi will safe the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress, citing entrenched pursuits and unresolved ambitions inside the rising opposition coalition.
Talking in an interview on Belief TV, Baba-Ahmed mentioned inner dynamics inside the ADC made it tough for any single aspirant to emerge unchallenged, including that competing ambitions might frustrate Obi’s bid.
“I believe it is rather unlikely that Peter Obi will safe the ticket,” he mentioned, although he added that he can be happy if Obi succeeded.
Baba-Ahmed mentioned Obi by no means invited him to affix the ADC and defined that his resolution to stay within the Labour Social gathering was primarily based on conviction reasonably than private loyalty. He mentioned the Labour Social gathering existed earlier than Obi and shouldn’t be outlined by the exit of a single determine.
Responding to claims that the get together misplaced relevance after Obi’s departure, Baba-Ahmed mentioned such arguments had been pushed by social media narratives and ignored the get together’s broader historical past. He acknowledged Obi’s impression within the 2023 election however mentioned political actions had been constructed collectively.
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He mentioned many of the key figures now aligned with the ADC, other than Obi, had been former leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress and had not essentially modified. That, he mentioned, was a significant cause he declined to contemplate the ADC instead platform.
Baba-Ahmed additionally pointed to the ambitions of figures akin to Atiku Abubakar, who has publicly mentioned he wouldn’t step down for one more aspirant, as additional proof of the hurdles Obi might face inside the ADC.
He mentioned if Obi didn’t safe the ADC ticket and selected to return to the Labour Social gathering, he would assist him and work to reconcile inner variations. Baba-Ahmed dismissed solutions that his personal political relevance trusted Obi, saying his profession predated their alliance and that he had by no means misplaced an election.
On the broader political panorama, he mentioned the APC’s power was overstated and largely sustained by compromised establishments, including {that a} credible election in 2027 would defeat the ruling get together whatever the opposition candidate.
“The Labour Social gathering is the place I selected to remain,” he mentioned. “It’s not about comfort. It’s about promise.”
