Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has hit back at his former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, insisting that his record as Anambra State governor demonstrates his capacity to improve Nigeria.
Obi spoke in an interview with Arise Television monitored by The News Chronicle after Baba-Ahmed dismissed the ability of politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election to transform the country.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, specifically included Obi among those he believed could not improve Nigeria.
Responding to the criticism, Obi pointed to his record in Anambra as evidence of what he could achieve at the national level if elected president.
“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 would prioritise discipline and efficiency in governance, including cutting what he described as the excessive cost of running government.
“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 tackle corruption and waste, strengthen law and order and ensure credible elections.
“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 added.
He further listed national unity and security among his priorities, alongside greater attention to critical sectors such as healthcare and education and efforts to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
The exchange marks a fresh twist in the relationship between Obi and Baba-Ahmed, who jointly contested the 2023 presidential election but are now on different political paths ahead of the 2027 poll.
Baba-Ahmed had said that while President Tinubu should prepare to leave office, Nigerians should not expect those challenging him to deliver a better country.
Asked specifically whether his criticism included Obi, Baba-Ahmed replied: “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”
