Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed, the former running mate of the Labour Party Prsidential candidate Peter Obi, in the 2023 election has called out ex boss for walking away instead of staying to fight.
Datti criticised his former leader for quitting the Labour Party during tough times. He spoke at a press conference and warned that anyone who cannot handle party problems is not the kind of leader Nigerians truly want.
Datti began by noting that consistency is good. Even though he does not like or support what the ruling All Progressives Congress has been doing against Nigeria he still believes that the person who got the Labour Party ticket so easily should have stayed inside the party to fix its many problems no matter how difficult they were.
He said he stood up and faced heavy anger from many people after he called for reconciliation inside the Labour Party. Then he heard read and saw on the news that his former leader and the man he trusted so much had said that wherever there is a quarrel he will simply walk away.
Datti asked directly if there is a quarrel in Nigeria today will this same leader just walk away from the country too. He said these things do not add up at all.
A true leader must be firm Datti declared. No matter how gentle you are you must be ready and willing to fight. The first place a leader fights is when people try to steal your victory. He pointed to the 2023 election and the clear constitutional breach that happened. Datti said the others left only him alone to fight that breach. You do not do that he stressed. You must fight right at that point.
If you are not ready to fight do not even come out into politics Datti warned. Stay in your house instead. He described politics as a contact sport. In a country like Nigeria that is so diverse and heated if you cannot handle quarrels or arguments then this game is not for you.
Datti also spoke about possible future alliances. He said it is very unlikely that the North will rally around an OK ticket meaning Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso together. He called it his personal opinion while stressing he still has respect for both men. He even noted that he once pushed the idea of them teaming up but doubts it will work especially in the North where people may not accept such a setup.
