By Mandy Park
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has dismissed the assessment of his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, that none of the politicians seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election, including himself, has the capacity to improve Nigeria.
Obi, while outlining his vision for the country, said his record as governor of Anambra State demonstrated that he had the experience and capacity to deliver meaningful development if given the opportunity to lead at the federal level.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, had said Tinubu should prepare to leave office at the end of his tenure but argued that Nigerians should not expect a major transformation from the opposition politicians seeking to replace him.
He made the remarks during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
Asked whether his assessment included all opposition presidential hopefuls, Baba-Ahmed said they were all, at one time or another, associated with the political establishment.
“Tinubu should leave the stage. All those people contesting against him, too—they were all in bed together at some point or another,” he said.
When specifically asked if his comment included Obi, Baba-Ahmed replied, “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”
However, in an interview previewed by Arise Television on Monday, Obi offered a contrasting assessment of his capacity to govern, pointing to his tenure as Anambra governor as evidence of what he could achieve.
“I passed through Anambra State, and I improved the state in critical areas of development. And I can do the same thing in Nigeria,” Obi said.
The former governor said his administration, if elected president, would prioritise discipline and accountability in governance, while reducing what he described as excessive government expenditure.
“I am sure that if given the opportunity, first I will bring civility and order in governance, and I will be able to cut costs of governance, which is irresponsible today,” he said.
Obi also pledged to intensify the fight against corruption and waste, strengthen law and order, and ensure that future elections are conducted transparently.
“I will fight corruption; I will deal with issues of waste, law and order, and rigging won’t take place under my watch; political parties will function, and things will be done properly,” he said.
He further identified national unity and security as major priorities, alongside investment in human capital and poverty reduction.
“I will focus on our priorities to unite the country, as it’s not united today, and secure the country. Secondly, secure the country. Thirdly, to ensure we prioritise critical areas of development, like health, education and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi added.
The exchange comes as political parties and opposition figures begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with debates over leadership capacity, governance records and the ability of opposition candidates to provide an alternative to the Tinubu administration expected to intensify.
Obi has consistently based his political campaign on what he describes as his record of prudent financial management and investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and human development during his tenure as Anambra governor.
Baba-Ahmed, meanwhile, has remained critical of the political class, despite his previous partnership with Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
