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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Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has urged Nigerian Catholics to participate in the country’s electoral process.Download Interactive Maps

He warned that abandoning politics because of the perception that it is a “dirty game” may create opportunities for individuals with questionable values to assume positions of authority

Naija News reports that Fayemi spoke at the plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBC), at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State.

Speaking on the theme, “Faith in Action: Empowering the Catholic Laity for Active Political Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” the former governor said Christians have a responsibility to bring their values into public life and help promote justice, accountability and the common good.

Fayemi said political participation should go beyond voting to include contesting elections, joining political parties, monitoring electoral processes, educating voters and holding elected officials accountable.

“Public office is too serious to be left to people who have no fear of God. When serious Catholics committed to the ideals of social justice and the common good turn away from politics, we open the door for unprincipled opportunists to take power,” he said.

The former governor urged Catholics to approach the 2027 elections without allowing ethnicity, religion, personal financial interests, political patronage or blind loyalty to political parties to determine their choices.

He advised voters to assess candidates and political programmes based on their commitment to human dignity, justice, peace, security, development and the common good.

Fayemi also urged eligible Catholics to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in voter education, election monitoring and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.

He said the Catholic Church should make political formation a priority, arguing that encouraging members to participate in politics without adequately preparing them for public service would be insufficient.

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