In a recent interview on Symfoni TV, Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, revealed that he personally recommended that Peter Obi should collaborate with Rabiu Kwankwaso, the ex-governor of Kano State. This suggestion, he stated, came well before any public discussions about a potential political alliance between the two politicians.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the conversation took place in January 2024, shortly after the 2023 presidential election. He disclosed that he approached Obi and asked about his plans moving forward. When Obi did not articulate a clear strategy, Baba-Ahmed advised him to work with Kwankwaso. He emphasized that his advice was rooted in the conviction that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require long-term organization, coalition-building, and careful planning.
Baba-Ahmed noted that President Bola Tinubu’s ascent to power was not accidental but the result of 16 years of meticulous political organization. He stressed that opposition figures cannot afford to plan on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Despite internal disagreements within the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed remained supportive of Obi and committed to helping him navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape.