Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that sympathy for Peter Obi and concern over Nigeria’s condition influenced his decision to join the Labour Party presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.

Baba-Ahmed disclosed during an interview with media platform Symfoni in a video that surfaced on Wednesday.

According to him, Obi had earlier approached three other prominent politicians in 2021 seeking a running mate, but they all declined the offer.

He said he eventually accepted the vice-presidential slot because he felt sorry for Obi and believed Nigeria needed support at the time.

“They thought I would follow Peter Obi. Now, people don’t understand that between Obi and me, there’s a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him,” Baba-Ahmed said.

The former senator added that he volunteered to join the ticket because of his long-standing desire to contribute to Nigeria’s progress.

“I felt bad for him. I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation… I took it upon myself because, naturally, I’ve always been a volunteer for the sake of Nigeria,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed, who recently defected from the Labour Party to the Peoples Redemption Party, also stressed that his political future is independent of Obi’s decisions.

“With due respect, he does not own my politics. He does not own me. I am independent,” he said.

He further criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party over internal crises, arguing that political challenges exist in every party.

According to Baba-Ahmed, leaving the Labour Party for another political platform would not necessarily solve leadership disputes.

“I mean, if Julius Abure was a problem, what makes him think the David Mark of ADC will not be a problem?” he asked.

He also questioned whether leaders of other opposition parties would be free from similar internal disagreements.

Baba-Ahmed maintained that political leaders should remain and fix problems within their parties instead of moving from one platform to another.

The remarks come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several opposition politicians switching parties and forming new alliances.