Kwankwaso may struggle to market Obi in the North — Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has raised doubts about the political feasibility of a potential alliance between former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during a recent interview on the Symfoni Podcast, where he reflected on his experience campaigning for Obi across Northern Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election.

He said the task required significant personal sacrifice and deep engagement with cultural, religious, and identity sensitivities across the region.

“I know what I have faced… I had to contend with identity politics. I wonder how Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso… will now go back to Kano and contradict himself. No, no, no. This will not happen,” he said.

The former senator explained that his approach during the 2023 campaign involved extensive outreach to traditional and religious leaders across Northern Nigeria, including visits to prominent institutions such as the Caliphate in Borno.

He argued that successfully “marketing” a presidential candidate in the North required a high level of personal commitment and political discipline.

“I considered myself a staff of Peter Obi… Call me 2 a.m., I will jump up. Call me 4 a.m., I will jump up,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed questioned whether Kwankwaso would be willing to adopt a similar supporting role in a joint political arrangement, particularly one requiring him to subordinate personal ambition or ego for a unified ticket.

He further suggested that political dynamics in Northern Nigeria, as well as voter sensitivities, could complicate any alliance between the two opposition figures.

The comments come amid ongoing speculation about possible realignments within the opposition ahead of 2027, especially discussions around a potential Obi–Kwankwaso partnership aimed at challenging the ruling APC.

Baba-Ahmed maintained that his experience during the 2023 election gave him a firsthand understanding of the challenges involved in building cross-regional political acceptance.

He also referenced controversies from the 2023 election cycle, including debates over religious narratives and the circulation of campaign-related audio recordings, which had sparked public debate at the time.

According to him, such factors underscore the complexity of coalition-building in Nigeria’s current political environment.

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