During an interview from 31:48 on Channels Television on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, spoke about his relationship with Peter Obi and responded to criticisms from some supporters of the former Anambra State governor.
Baba-Ahmed said some individuals attacking him on social media were not advancing Obi’s political interests. He argued that certain sensitive issues that arose during the 2023 presidential campaign were resolved through quiet engagement rather than public confrontation.
The former lawmaker recalled controversies that surfaced after he joined the Labour Party presidential ticket, including concerns raised by some northern groups. He stated that he played a role in addressing those issues and preventing them from becoming major political challenges for the campaign.
According to him, “The people who are trying to go online to start attacking me, they are not helping Peter Obi. There are some things that should go quiet. Remember when I joined, there was this issue of ID cards, and in less than one month I got it quietly. The northerners were made to… for which Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso traveled to Anambra to challenge Peter Obi on. I got that matter effectively under control. Let me finish. When he was governor, there was mosque demolition. It was tough, but I silenced that matter too.”
Baba-Ahmed argued that several issues with the potential to create political difficulties for Obi were managed through dialogue and engagement behind the scenes. He stated that public attacks and internal disputes were unlikely to benefit political leaders seeking broad national support.
He maintained that his interventions helped reduce tensions surrounding some of the controversies that emerged during the campaign period. According to him, political allies should focus on constructive engagement rather than personal attacks, especially when dealing with matters that could affect a politician’s public image and electoral prospects.
The former vice-presidential candidate’s remarks come amid renewed debates within opposition circles following recent comments about the 2023 election and the future direction of political alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.