Obi, Atiku are office seekers not opposition leaders - Baba-Ahmed
Nigerian Politician Critiques Opposition Leaders
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has called out notable figures in Nigeria’s opposition, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, labeling them as “office seekers” rather than true leaders of dissent.
During an appearance on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern over the opposition’s response to escalating security threats in the country, particularly in the wake of recent bomb attacks in Borno State.
He emphasized that authentic opposition leadership demands active engagement with citizens affected by insecurity, rather than passive commentary from a distance. “Before [President Bola Ahmed] Tinubu went to the UK, there were two deadly bomb blasts in Borno. Tell me, among these opposition leaders, who has led us to go and walk on the streets of Maiduguri?” he questioned.
Baba-Ahmed recalled past visits by President Tinubu and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari to Maiduguri during significant security crises, arguing that such actions reflect solidarity with local communities. “Is that not what Tinubu and the late Buhari did in 2013 or 2014? They went and walked on the streets of Maiduguri, shaking hands with people,” he noted.
In his critique, Baba-Ahmed asserted that many in the opposition restrict their contributions to social media, rather than taking meaningful steps to connect with victims of violence. “It’s not enough that they are tweeting about it; that’s child’s play. They are not opposition members; they are office seekers,” he stated.
While expressing disappointment with the broader opposition, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as a noteworthy exception. “There is an outlier among them. If I have my way, Amaechi is excellent material, but I don’t have my way,” he remarked.
Additionally, Baba-Ahmed reflected on his political association with Obi, revealing disagreements over Obi’s political choices. “I’ve been in support of Peter [Obi] in any case, but Peter left where I said he should leave. He went somewhere and he left again where I told him was not suitable for him,” he added.
The comments by Baba-Ahmed highlight ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape as opposition figures navigate a challenging environment.
