Finally, Peter Obi Responds to Datti Baba-Ahmed: Full Text
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has finally responded to his former 2023 running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, after the latter declared that none of the politicians challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election could improve Nigeria.
Datti, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, made the remarks during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
According to Datti, although President Tinubu should prepare to leave office, Nigerians should not expect any of the major opposition candidates to transform the country.
Asked specifically whether he was referring to Peter Obi, Datti replied: “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”
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Obi has now responded, choosing to point to his record as governor of Anambra State and outlining what he says he would do differently if elected president.
Speaking during an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday, Obi said his experience in Anambra demonstrated that he has the capacity to improve the country.
“I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” Obi said.
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The former Anambra governor said his first priority would be to restore civility and order to governance while reducing what he described as the irresponsible cost of running government.
“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today,” he said.
Obi also said his administration would seek to restore honour and respect to Nigeria while confronting corruption, waste and weaknesses in the country’s governance system.
He further pledged to strengthen law and order and ensure that elections are conducted credibly.
“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function as parties, and things will be done properly,” he said.
Obi lists priorities for Nigeria
Responding to the broader question of what he would do differently in Nigeria, Obi identified national unity, security and human development as major priorities.
According to him, his administration would focus on uniting a country he believes is currently divided, securing Nigerians and investing in critical sectors of the economy.
“One, to unite the country. The country is not united today. Two, to secure the country. Three, to ensure that we prioritise critical areas of development, health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi said.
The exchange between the former running mates has added a new dimension to the political conversation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While Datti’s comments questioned the capacity of the major opposition figures to deliver meaningful change, Obi’s response centred on his record in Anambra and his proposed approach to national governance.
The former running mates were political partners in the 2023 presidential election, when they jointly contested the presidency under the Labour Party platform. Their latest positions, however, highlight the widening political differences surrounding the 2027 contest.
For Obi, the argument is ultimately about performance and governance: he believes what he achieved in Anambra can serve as evidence of what he could do at the national level.
Source note: The key quotations above are based on reports of Obi’s Arise TV interview and Datti Baba-Ahmed’s earlier Mic On Podcast remarks.
