Peter Obi Reacts As Datti Baba-Ahmed Labels Labour Party Defectors ‘Political Travellers

Yusuf Datti Baba‑Ahmed, the Labour Party’s (LP) vice‑presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has labeled former party members who have defected to other platforms as “political travellers,” while hinting at his own potential presidential ambition on the LP ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Wednesday at a rally held at the LP national headquarters in Abuja, Baba‑Ahmed addressed party faithful in the wake of former 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi’s defection to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). Obi formally joined the ADC after months of consultations with the opposition coalition, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, his running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to his move, Obi had encouraged his supporters, known as Obidients, to follow him to the ADC.

At the rally, Baba‑Ahmed took a subtle swipe at some former LP members, noting that they had been welcomed into the party in 2022 with the presidential ticket but later chose to leave. He said,
“I had earlier engaged all party members to reconcile, and while some heeded my calls, others took offence and proceeded to defect. No regrets on my part for this role as a leader in this party. In this defection case, neither my humble self nor the Labour Party are the aggressors.”

Describing the defectors as transient in politics, he added,
“A group of political travellers welcomed in 2022 with a presidential ticket continue with their journey. Simple.”

Baba‑Ahmed also highlighted the party’s electoral achievements despite challenges such as limited finances and widespread electoral irregularities.
“With all humility, Labour Party can flaunt its success. In the presence of financial difficulties, and in an era of perfected electoral fraud, the Labour Party produced a state governor, eight senators, about 40 House of Representatives members, and about 50 state House of Assembly members,” he said.

Acknowledging that some of those elected on the party’s platform have since defected, Baba‑Ahmed stressed his pride in remaining aligned with genuine LP members.