A member of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Umeh Sunday Elder, has strongly criticized Datti Baba-Ahmed over his recent claim that he joined Peter Obi's 2023 presidential ticket out of sympathy. The dispute has reignited debate about the dynamics of the Labour Party's campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Background of the Controversy
Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as the Labour Party's vice-presidential candidate in 2023, stated in a recent interview that his decision to accept the position was driven by sympathy after three prominent politicians allegedly rejected Peter Obi's offer to be his running mate. Baba-Ahmed declined to name the politicians who supposedly turned down the opportunity.
However, Umeh, a staunch supporter of Peter Obi based in Anambra State, dismissed Baba-Ahmed's narrative as careless and self-serving. In a telephone interview with a Legit.ng correspondent on Saturday, June 6, Umeh suggested that Baba-Ahmed's remarks stemmed from disappointment after he was not selected as Obi's running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Umeh's Criticism
Umeh stated: "I do not want to say that Datti Ahmed is pained that he wasn't chosen as Peter Obi's vice presidential candidate for the second time, but coming on national television to say that he agreed to become Obi's vice out of sympathy in 2023 was not only careless but also completely unbridled."
He further noted that Baba-Ahmed has achieved much in life, including building Baze University, which has helped many wealthy and political individuals obtain degrees. Umeh also recalled that Baba-Ahmed became a senator in 2011 but did not complete his term after his victory was overturned by the election petition tribunal due to rigging.
Questioning Political Influence
Umeh used electoral results from Kaduna State to challenge Baba-Ahmed's claim of political influence. He pointed out that despite having Datti on the ticket, Peter Obi performed poorly in Kaduna. Atiku Abubakar won the state, while Obi came a distant third. Even in Datti's local government area of Zaria, Atiku dominated, and Obi placed fourth.
Umeh further highlighted that in Datti's own polling unit, Polling Unit 021 in Tudun Wada Ward, the PDP emerged victorious while the Labour Party came a distant third. "Ordinarily, one would expect Datti to win his polling unit comfortably. After all, this is the level of politics where a politician should practically know people by their names, households, and family histories. Yet, even there, victory proved elusive," Umeh said.
Who Chose Whom Out of Sympathy?
Umeh questioned: "So, if I may ask, between Datti and Obi, who actually chose the other out of sympathy?" He reminded that Datti was originally a member of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), which had Donald Duke as its presidential candidate. Umeh suggested that Datti should have marketed Duke instead of "behaving like an estranged lover."
He concluded: "Politics is a game of numbers, influence, and electoral value. Therefore, before anyone claims to have accepted a position out of sympathy, the figures and political realities must first support such a claim."
Related Developments
In a separate report, Primate Elijah Ayodele warned Peter Obi against choosing Rabiu Kwankwaso as a running mate for 2027, stating it could negatively affect his ambition. Ayodele claimed Obi's decisions are influenced by desperation and that Kwankwaso may not fully support his bid.
