Defection: “You Are Just a Political Traveller Shopping for a Presidential Ticket” — Datti Baba-Ahmed Takes Swipe at Peter Obi

Datti Baba-Ahmed has sharply criticised Peter Obi over his recent defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the former presidential candidate as a politician who moves between parties in search of a presidential ticket.

Mr Baba-Ahmed, who served as Mr Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, made the remarks on Wednesday at the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja, where he also announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to the wave of defections from the Labour Party, Mr Baba-Ahmed said neither he nor the party should be blamed for the exits.

“In this defection case, neither my humble self nor the Labour Party are the aggressor,” he said. “A group of political travellers welcomed into the party with the presidential ticket continued their journey. Simple.”

He said efforts had been made to reconcile aggrieved members before they left the party, but those efforts were not accepted by everyone.

“I reached out to all concerned to make peace,” Mr Baba-Ahmed said. “When some heeded my call, others took offence and chose to defect. I have no regrets.”

Mr Baba-Ahmed also pushed back against suggestions that his political career was tied to Mr Obi, stressing his long-standing presidential ambition.

“I am my own boss,” he said. “I contested the presidency in 2019 before Peter Obi. I agreed to partner with him in 2023 because I believed there was an opportunity to unite Nigerians.”

Mr Obi formally left the Labour Party in December to join the ADC, a move that has widened divisions among former allies and reshaped opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election.