Datti Baba-Ahmed: "I Was Insulted for Saying Obi Can’t Beat Atiku at Convention"
Former Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up about the severe backlash he received for his pragmatic assessment of the opposition’s chances in the upcoming political cycle.
Speaking in an interview monitored in Abuja on Wednesday, Datti revealed that he was subjected to a barrage of insults after stating that Peter Obi would struggle to defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a delegate-based party convention.
The "Hard Truth" of Delegate Politics
The controversy stems from ongoing discussions regarding a potential merger of opposition parties including the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP to unseat the ruling APC in 2027. While many supporters clamor for a united front led by Peter Obi, Datti warned that the internal mechanics of a party convention favor the "old guard."
"I was insulted for saying Obi can’t beat Atiku at a convention," Datti stated. He explained that the delegate system in Nigerian politics is heavily monetized and structural, an arena where Atiku Abubakar has decades of experience and deep financial pockets.
Popularity vs. Party Structure
Datti clarified that his comments were not an attack on Obi’s popularity, which remains massive among the electorate. Instead, they were a critique of the political process that produces candidates.
"Peter Obi commands the people, but Atiku commands the delegates," he noted. "If we go into a merger and hold a convention today without changing the rules, the highest bidder will take the ticket. Telling our supporters this truth earned me names, but we must face reality to strategize effectively."
Tensions in the Opposition Camp
This admission highlights the friction within the opposition as they attempt to form a cohesive strategy for 2027. The fear is that a merger might trap Obi in a primary election he is designed to lose, similar to the events of the 2022 PDP primaries that led to his exit.
The statement also comes amidst rumors of internal reshuffling within the Labour Party. Recently, reports surfaced of Datti Baba-Ahmed potentially eyeing a 2027 run, signaling that the political calculations are shifting rapidly.
Meanwhile, other political actors are making their own moves. Governor Uba Sani is fortifying Kaduna against insecurity, reminding the opposition that governance issues remain the central topic for the next election cycle.
What This Means for 2027
Datti’s comments serve as a wake-up call for the "Obidient" movement. It suggests that if a coalition is to work, it may need a consensus arrangement rather than an open contest, or a complete overhaul of how delegates are selected.
Stay tuned to Naijarave.com as we track the unfolding merger talks and the reactions from the Atiku and Obi camps.
