Datti Baba-Ahmed, a prominent Nigerian political figure, has stated that Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and other opposition leaders are incapable of improving the country. His comments were reported by THISDAYLIVE on Monday, September 7, 2026.
According to THISDAYLIVE, Baba-Ahmed made the remarks while discussing the prospects of challengers to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next election cycle. He argued that none of the current opposition candidates offer a viable path to national progress.
The statement places Baba-Ahmed at odds with his former political ally. Reports from Vanguard News indicate that Baba-Ahmed also claimed Obi left his comfort zone to enter politics against his advice. The two were previously aligned as running mates in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party.
Baba-Ahmed's latest position has drawn criticism. A chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) described him as a "bitter ex," according to Daily Post Nigeria. The remark suggests that personal grievances may be shaping his public statements.
Daily Trust also covered the development, framing Baba-Ahmed's stance as a rejection of Obi and Atiku as alternatives to Tinubu. The coverage highlights the growing fragmentation within opposition ranks as the 2027 election approaches.
Baba-Ahmed's comments come at a time when opposition parties are struggling to present a united front. His dismissal of both Obi and Atiku narrows the field of credible challengers, even as public debate over the country's direction intensifies.
What to watch next: whether opposition leaders respond publicly to Baba-Ahmed's dismissal, and how his remarks affect coalition talks ahead of the 2027 vote.
