Plateau-based cleric Isa El-Buba has explained why he withdrew his support for Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 election.Geographic Reference

It was reports that the cleric said Obi lacks the courage he expects from a political leader.

El-Buba had backed Obi during the 2023 presidential election when Obi contested under the Labour Party.

He also helped mobilise support for the former Anambra State governor during the election.

However, the cleric has now moved his support to Adewale Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), ahead of the 2027 election.

According to the cleric, he still considers Obi a good person but believes the former governor has weaknesses that make it difficult for him to continue supporting his political ambition.

He spoke during an interview on the Mic On podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye on Saturday.

El-Buba said courage is one of the main qualities he expects from anyone seeking to lead a country, particularly when such a leader is faced with difficult situations.

He said: “Peter Obi is a nice man. He is not a bad man. But there are certain things I saw and had discussed with him personally. When a leader loses courage, the first instrument of a leader in the midst of all trials is courage to take shots on behalf of the followers. When a leader loses that one thing, you lose me.

“I don’t think Obi is courageous. That’s an aspect of his weakness. Peter Obi has no business leaving LP and running here and there.”

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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has said that being in a different political party from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Peter Obi, does not affect their personal relationship.Africans & Diaspora

It was reports that Baba-Ahmed stated this on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast.

He described Obi as his “boss”, saying he could have assisted the former Anambra State governor during the recent incident in Benue if he had been contacted.

“In reality, if you check what is between me and Peter Obi, and coming to the clarifications now, let me tell you: first and foremost, Obi is my boss. I still call him my boss,” he said.

He said he remained close enough to Obi to contact him directly and receive a response.

“If not because I don’t like acting, I could call Peter Obi now and on the second or third ring, he will answer. Hey, my brother Datti,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He then referred to the recent incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy was blocked by thugs while attempting to travel to Yelwata on a humanitarian visit.

Demonstrating what the conversation would sound like if he intended to call Obi, he said, “Sir, what happened in Benue? Why didn’t you call me in Benue?

He added: “He knows I could have helped out in Benue, even where he is now. He knows I could have helped out in Benue. My relationship with Peter is solid.”

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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has shed more light on his recent statement about the leadership capacity of presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

It was reports that Baba-Ahmed, in an earlier interview, had said that none of the presidential candidates contesting against President Bola Tinubu has the capacity to improve Nigeria.

Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Baba-Ahmed explained that his comments were made in the interest of fairness, arguing that he did not want to give any of President Bola Tinubu’s major challengers an undue advantage by asking the president to step down.

He asserted that he was trying to maintain what he considered a level playing field among the major contenders.

“In the way 2027 elections are, I will not disadvantage Uncle (Tinubu). I will not disadvantage him to unnecessarily promote Baba Atiku and Peter Obi and others, because we have to be fair in life, and that’s what I stand for,” he said.

He explained that asking Tinubu to hand over while promoting opposition candidates would unfairly favour some contenders over others.

“I don’t want to unduly disadvantage a key opponent. Who is the key opponent? The major opponent, Tinubu, Shettima ticket, and promote the Atiku ticket, which I’m not there, or the Obi ticket that I’m not there. One has to be fair in life, and that’s what happened,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He added that his response to Seun Okinbaloye’s question was not the issue he initially came to discuss, but it came up during the interview.

“And it was not what I went to discuss with Seun, but Seun found a way of bringing that topic and insisting, including Peter Obi,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also rejected suggestions that his controversial remark meant he had withdrawn his support for Obi, saying he remained appreciative of their political history.

“What I have done to support Peter Obi, I can repeat it.

“Peter Obi knows I stood for him. I still stand by him, and it is regretful those moves he made. But it is his choice,” he said.

He also denied claims that Obi had “dropped” him, saying he had raised concerns about Obi’s political plans as far back as January 2024.

“Now they keep saying that he dropped me. He didn’t drop me.

“On 31st of January, 2024, I told him, sir, I need you to have a plan, and you don’t have it. At least I haven’t heard from you,” Baba-Ahmed said.

Baba-Ahmed further expressed respect for Atiku, describing the former vice-president as a father figure and saying his comments were not intended to undermine him.q

“Between me and Atiku, it’s much, much, much respect. In fact, I was able to remind him that I personally see you as like a father figure,” he said.

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