Datti Baba-Ahmed: Obi was Aware of my Attendance at Abure-Led LP NEC Meeting

Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says his attendance at the National Executive Committee meeting led by Julius Abure was not a solo move. According to him, Peter Obi, the party’s presidential flagbearer, was well aware of his decision.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed described himself as “a peacemaker on a peace mission,” saying his actions were aimed at bridging divides within the party.

“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from, not a party to be abandoned or to be ignored,” he stated.

“I assure you that every little step I take, concerned parties are aware; I don’t need to get too much into our internal operation, but give you a categorical answer — everyone that has to do with everything that I do is aware.”

He added that the way forward was dialogue. “I call for parties to get together and talk; that’s the way forward. When the parties meet, journalists will get the headlines of what was discussed. I’m a positive catalyst in this case. I’m bringing people together to unite, understand themselves, and make good efforts again to rescue Nigeria.”

Baba-Ahmed said the Labour Party, like many others, had suffered from powerful forces trying to control Nigeria and that the only way out was unity.

“Whoever is on a mission to change the meaning of my unambitious, clean actions are welcome to do (so). All they are doing is speaking out about their fears,” he said.

Responding to a statement by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, who claimed Obi’s supporters were unaware of the Abure-led meeting, Baba-Ahmed dismissed the concern.

“I don’t talk to Mr. Tanko, I relate with our boss, His Excellency Peter Obi, and I did.

“His Excellency Peter Obi is aware. He probably has been too busy to update the Tankos around him. I speak with the boss, not with those who move around with him, and I’m happy to still have the Tankos around; they are loyal, they are active. Peter Obi is aware, please.”

LEADERSHIP BATTLE DEEPENS

The Labour Party has been dealing with a growing internal rift, which has split it into factions. While Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti are reportedly aligned with the group led by Senator Nenadi Usman, others remain loyal to Julius Abure.

Last Friday, Nenadi Usman was elected as Interim National Chairman, alongside Senator Darlington Nwokocha, who was named Interim National Secretary. The appointments are part of the party’s newly constituted interim working committee.

However, the move has not gone unchallenged. The party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, described the formation of the interim committee as “unconstitutional and illegal,” insisting that Abure remains the authentic national chairman.

The matter has also drawn judicial attention. In April, the Supreme Court set aside a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja that recognised Abure as chairman. The apex court held that leadership disputes within political parties were internal matters that courts had no jurisdiction over. It upheld the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another party member, declaring it meritorious.