Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has moved to douse the controversy over his recent criticism of Peter Obi, insisting that the former Anambra State governor remains his “boss” and that their personal relationship is still intact.
Baba-Ahmed made the clarification days after his explosive remarks that his former running mate was among the politicians he considered incapable of transforming Nigeria if elected president in 2027.
Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Baba-Ahmed sought to draw a line between his political assessment of Obi and their personal relationship, saying the two men remained close despite no longer being in the same political camp.
“In reality, if you check what is between me and Peter Obi, and coming to the clarifications now, let me tell you: first and foremost, Obi is my boss. I still call him my boss,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed further claimed that the relationship was sufficiently cordial for him to contact Obi directly at any time.
“If not because I don’t like acting, I could call Peter Obi now and on the second or third ring, he will answer. ‘Hey, my brother Datti,’” he said.
He also invoked the recent incident involving Obi’s convoy in Benue State, where the former governor was reportedly prevented from proceeding to Yelwata during a humanitarian visit.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Obi could have called him for assistance, stressing that the former governor knew he had the capacity and willingness to intervene.
“Sir, what happened in Benue? Why didn’t you call me in Benue?” he said, explaining what he would have told Obi.
“He knows I could have helped out in Benue, even where he is now. He knows I could have helped out in Benue. My relationship with Peter is solid,” he added.
The latest comments came against the backdrop of the backlash that greeted Baba-Ahmed’s appearance on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye.
During that interview, Baba-Ahmed said President Bola Tinubu should leave office and questioned the capacity of leading politicians angling to succeed him in 2027 to bring about meaningful transformation in the country.
But when pressed on whether his assessment also applied to Obi, his former running mate, Baba-Ahmed gave a blunt response.
“Yes, including Peter Obi,” he said.
The declaration immediately stirred controversy among Obi’s supporters, particularly because Baba-Ahmed and Obi jointly contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform.
His latest intervention appears aimed at separating his political judgment from his personal loyalty to Obi.
While he has maintained his criticism of Obi’s political capacity, Baba-Ahmed insists that their relationship has not suffered a rupture, describing Obi as his “boss” and their bond as “solid.”
The clarification, however, leaves open the question of how Baba-Ahmed’s strong personal allegiance to Obi squares with his public assessment of the former governor as lacking the capacity to transform Nigeria.
