Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has launched a sharp criticism of some of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of prioritising political ambition over genuine opposition leadership.
Speaking during an appearance on Trust TV’s Daily Politics, Baba-Ahmed questioned the response of opposition politicians to Nigeria’s growing security challenges, particularly following recent bomb explosions in Borno State.
He argued that effective opposition leadership should go beyond public statements and social media reactions, insisting that leaders must physically engage with communities affected by insecurity.
“Before he (Tinubu) went to the UK, there were two deadly bomb blasts in Borno. Tell me, in all these opposition leaders, who has led us to go and walk on the streets of Maiduguri?” Baba-Ahmed asked.
The former vice-presidential candidate recalled how President Bola Tinubu and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari visited Maiduguri during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency years ago. According to him, such visits demonstrated solidarity with citizens facing difficult circumstances.
“Is that not what Tinubu and the late Baba Buhari did in 2013 or 2014? They went and walked on the streets of Maiduguri, shaking hands with people and all that,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed expressed frustration with what he described as the opposition’s reliance on online commentary instead of direct engagement with victims of insecurity and other national challenges.
“No, 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 criticising the broader opposition movement, Baba-Ahmed singled out former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for commendation.
“There is an outlier among them. I’ve always told you, if I have my way, Amaechi is an excellent material, but I don’t have my way,” he said.
The former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate also reflected on his political relationship with Peter Obi, revealing that he had disagreed with some of the former Anambra governor’s political decisions.
“I’ve been in support of Peter LP 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,” Baba-Ahmed added.
His comments are expected to intensify political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially as opposition parties continue efforts to reposition themselves and build alliances capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
