I’ll Be Shocked If He Repeats 2023” — Mohammed-Baba Speaks On Peter Obi’s Future

The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Professor Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has said he would be surprised if the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, matches his strong performance in the 2023 presidential election.

Mohammed-Baba made the remarks during an interview on Arise News, noting that several political developments have taken place since the 2023 polls, including Obi’s movement across different political platforms.

He argued that recent political behavior among politicians reflects a system increasingly driven by personal ambition rather than public service.

According to him, many political actors have prioritised individual goals over collective responsibility, stressing that politics should be about service to the people.

“What is becoming clear is that these people have been playing the politics of individuals. Who is going to be what? Who is going to represent a platform, and so on,” he said.

He added that political ambition without service delivery is meaningless, noting that leadership should focus on addressing citizens’ needs.

“There is everything wrong with personal ambitions, because politics is for service to the people, and so long as you are not there to serve the people, then your ambition remains what it is, personal,” he said.

Mohammed-Baba also reflected on Nigeria’s large population, arguing that individual aspirations for political office ultimately hold little weight unless they translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“We are a country of about 220 to 230 million, and the wishes of individuals to occupy positions of authority amount to nothing,” he said.

He further claimed that growing public dissatisfaction has led many Nigerians to lose faith in political actors.

“I can assure you that the typical person on the street I have spoken to… they will tell you that there is nothing. They are on their own. It’s only God that will save them,” he stated.

According to him, most political parties in the country have become platforms for individual ambitions rather than ideological representation.

“Now, when you look at it, most of these parties, it’s all about individuals,” he said.

Obi’s 2023 Performance and 2027 Expectations

While acknowledging Peter Obi’s strong showing in the 2023 election, Mohammed-Baba said recent political shifts may have weakened his support base.

“Yes, Peter Obi made inroads in 2023, and he performed wonderfully. But then, I think that what has happened since then has vitiated his support, and I will be very surprised if he performs as much as he did in 2023,” he said.

He also questioned Obi’s recent political alignments, suggesting that his movement across parties raises concerns about his political direction.

“He has moved to about two or three parties, so the question we ask is, what does he want?” he added.

Mohammed-Baba further commented on Rabiu Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, noting that while he delivered Kano State in 2023, there are doubts over whether he can replicate that performance in 2027.