Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has revealed that his principal, Peter Obi, was informed of his decision to participate in the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting convened by the faction of the party headed by Julius Abure.
Baba-Ahmed described his involvement as part of broader efforts to foster reconciliation among factions within the party.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed portrayed himself as a “peacemaker” committed to unity within the Labour Party, which has recently been embroiled in a leadership crisis.
“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from, not a party to be abandoned or to be ignored,” he said, emphasizing that his presence at the meeting was a deliberate and strategic move aimed at mending the cracks within the party.
He further clarified that Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, was well aware of his actions: “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.”
Calling on all factions to engage in dialogue, Baba-Ahmed expressed optimism that unity talks would lead to meaningful outcomes. “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.”
He also reflected on the broader political environment, stating that the Labour Party, much like other political formations in Nigeria, has been adversely impacted by forces that have compromised the state. He urged party leaders to rise to the challenge and pursue cohesion.
“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 added, indicating that criticisms of his actions were largely based on internal anxieties.
Responding to comments made by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, who claimed that Obi’s supporters were unaware of the meeting with the Abure group, Baba-Ahmed dismissed any disconnect between himself and Obi.
“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,” he said emphatically.
A Deepening Internal Division
The Labour Party is currently navigating through a major internal leadership crisis that has resulted in the formation of rival factions. Despite Baba-Ahmed’s peacemaking efforts, prominent party leaders such as Peter Obi and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have aligned with a different faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman.
This group was recently formalized with the appointment of Senator Usman as the Interim National Chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as the Interim National Secretary, alongside other interim working committee members.
However, the party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, has described this development as “unconstitutional and illegal,” maintaining that Julius Abure remains the legitimate national chairman.
The leadership dispute was further complicated in April when the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict setting aside a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja that had recognized Abure as the party’s national chairman.
The apex court stated that the Court of Appeal had overstepped its jurisdiction since the crux of the matter revolved around the party’s internal affairs. As such, the Supreme Court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Usman and another appellant, deeming it meritorious and affirming the judiciary’s limited role in internal party leadership matters.
What you should know
Datti Baba-Ahmed has confirmed that Peter Obi was informed before his attendance at the NEC meeting convened by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party.
Despite growing internal division within the party, Baba-Ahmed maintains that his actions are centered on peace and unity.
The Labour Party is currently split between leaders who support Abure and those backing an interim leadership led by Senator Nenadi Usman, with the Supreme Court recently ruling that leadership disputes within political parties fall outside judicial jurisdiction.
