Peter Obi Was Fully Aware I Was Attending the Abure-led LP NEC Meeting, Says Datti Baba-Ahmed Yusuf

 

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, offered a revealing glimpse into his approach to leadership and the complex internal workings of the Labour Party during an exclusive interview with Charles Aniagolu on Arise TV. Candid, firm and reflective, Baba-Ahmed described a sense of duty that goes beyond official titles and party positions, emphasizing the gravity of leadership and the need to act in critical moments.

Addressing the recent controversies surrounding his attendance at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by Julius Abure’s faction of the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed offered a clear rationale. According to him, the move was neither rebellion nor personal ambition. It was a conscious and necessary step rooted in a deeper philosophy of leadership.

"This is what leadership is about. I am not a Labour Party leader, but I aspire to a position of leadership," he told Aniagolu with a calm but assertive tone. His words spoke to a broader idea that real leadership sometimes demands action regardless of formal recognition.

He reflected on moments in history, referencing the Doctrine of Necessity, which allowed constitutional flexibility in Nigeria during a period of uncertainty. "There are times you belong to everybody so long as you are a leader," he said, underscoring the need to act decisively when situations threaten institutional cohesion.

Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that the Labour Party, much like the Nigerian political landscape, is experiencing a period of intense realignment and challenges. Rather than step aside or remain silent, he believes leaders must prevent situations from deteriorating. "Leaders don't allow matters to degenerate or disintegrate," he said, stressing that responsibility doesn't always come from appointment but from moral obligation and conviction.

When the conversation turned to Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed’s tone softened. He expressed a deep sense of respect and personal alignment with Obi, even as he admitted that leadership requires occasional independence of action. "Whatever I do, I carry him along, he is aware of everything I do," he said, quickly putting to rest any insinuations of disloyalty or internal conflict.

He revealed that Obi, known for his humble and strategic approach to leadership, often places trust in those around him. Baba-Ahmed described him as someone whose schedule is overwhelmingly packed, sometimes to the point of quiet withdrawal. "Peter Obi's cup and schedule is full most times and I feel sometimes he is shy to tell me, go do this thing, go do this thing," he said.

That sentiment, he explained, was what drove him to step into roles Obi might have left unaddressed due to time constraints or the burden of multiple responsibilities. "If Mr Peter Obi and I were sworn in, there are things that if he didn't do, I must rise up to that challenge," Baba-Ahmed stated firmly.

Baba-Ahmed’s appearance at the NEC meeting had sparked a swirl of reactions within and beyond the Labour Party. Many saw his participation as lending legitimacy to Abure’s leadership, while others viewed it as a divisive move. To this, he responded with clarity, emphasizing communication and transparency. "I told him I was going to the Abure-led Labour Party NEC meeting," he affirmed, indicating there was no secrecy or hidden motive.

Peter Obi, according to Baba-Ahmed, provides the kind of leadership that encourages initiative rather than micromanagement. "Peter Obi is an easy person, he leaves and trusts you to use your initiatives and I trust that's what he did," he added, reiterating that nothing he does is done in isolation.

The broader message from Baba-Ahmed's interview appeared to be a call for maturity in politics, especially within movements like the Labour Party that aim to present an alternative to the traditional political class. His insistence on acting when necessary, even without explicit instructions, reflects a desire to institutionalize a leadership culture based on trust, accountability and foresight.

As Nigeria’s political terrain continues to shift and recalibrate, voices like Baba-Ahmed’s will likely remain central to shaping public perception of what responsible and proactive leadership should look like. His remarks on Arise TV were not only a response to a political moment but a broader commentary on the kind of leadership Nigeria needs, one that is guided by purpose, not just position.