Defectors are ‘political travellers’, says Baba-Ahmed as he declares 2027 presidential bid
Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has described party members who recently defected as mere “political travellers”.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Wednesday at the LP national secretariat in Abuja, where he also formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
His comments came amid the defection of Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi joined the ADC after months of consultations involving opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president, with whom he contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Before leaving the LP, Obi had urged his supporters, popularly known as Obidients, to align with the ADC.
Speaking at the party’s secretariat, Baba-Ahmed criticised former LP members who, he said, benefited from the party’s platform but later chose to defect.
“I had earlier engaged all party members to reconcile, and while some heeded my calls, others took offence and proceeded to defect,” he said.
“No regrets to me for this role. However, as a leader in this party, in this defection case, neither my humble self nor the Labour Party are the aggressors.
“A group of political travellers welcomed in 2022 with a presidential ticket continue with their journey. Simple.
“This is a fact to keep in mind in anticipation of their ever ready hostile online attitudes.
“With all humility, Labour Party can flaunt its successes in the presence of financial difficulties. In an era of perfected electoral fraud, the Labour Party produced a state governor, eight senators, about 40 house of representatives members, and about 50 state house of assembly members.”
Baba-Ahmed added that although several elected officials have since left the party, he remains “proud to be associated with real members” of the LP.
On May 25, 2022, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, resigned from the PDP, days before the party’s presidential primary.
He cited “recent developments in the party that do not support constructive contributions” as his reason for leaving.
Two days later, on May 27, 2022, Obi joined the Labour Party, where he went on to secure its presidential ticket for the 2023 election.
He was initially expected to contest the PDP presidential primary scheduled for May 28, 2022.
Obi eventually placed third in the 2023 presidential election.
