Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has challenged claims that Peter Obi has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying no formal defection has taken place.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Baba-Ahmed said Obi only announced his participation in a political coalition and did not explicitly state that he had left the Labour Party to join the ADC.
According to him, Obi’s remarks at a recent political gathering in Enugu focused on aligning with a coalition rather than a direct defection to another party.
“I listened carefully to what Peter Obi said in Enugu. He talked about joining a coalition. I did not hear him say he was defecting to the ADC,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He called on the leadership of the Labour Party to clarify the situation by confirming whether Obi had followed the formal process required to exit the party.
“It is important to establish whether Peter Obi has submitted a resignation letter and returned his party card, as required by law,” he added.
In December 2025, Obi publicly associated himself with the ADC at a political event in Enugu, where he invited members of opposition parties to join what he described as a collective effort to rescue Nigeria from poor leadership.
Despite the apparent political differences, Baba-Ahmed said his relationship with Obi remains cordial, noting that the former Anambra governor would be welcome back to the Labour Party if circumstances change.
“If Peter Obi does not secure the ADC ticket, he is welcome back to the Labour Party. I will personally stand by him,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also confirmed his interest in contesting the presidency but said he has not formally declared.
“I have not declared for the presidency. I only reaffirmed my membership of the Labour Party. Any such decision will depend on the party and the timetable of the electoral commission,” he stated.
He further urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that new leadership was needed.
