A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has explained that Datti Baba-Ahmed is suffering from what he termed a “post-political identity crisis,” following his recent criticism of Peter Obi.
Key Highlights
- Kenneth Okonkwo accuses Datti Baba-Ahmed of a “post-political identity crisis” following his recent criticism of Peter Obi.
- Okonkwo links the disagreement to the collapse of the political structure that powered the Obi-Baba-Ahmed campaign in the 2023 presidential election.
- Speaking on ARISE TV, Okonkwo said he understands Baba-Ahmed’s position because they were previously part of the same political movement.
- Baba-Ahmed recently criticised leading 2027 presidential contenders, saying none possesses what is required to transform Nigeria.
- Okonkwo recalled the strong optimism surrounding the Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket in 2023, saying many supporters saw it as an opportunity for political change.
Okonkwo suggested that Baba-Ahmed’s criticisms of Obi can be linked to the collapse of the political structure that powered the Obi-Baba-Ahmed presidential campaign in the 2023 election.
The ADC made the assertion on Tuesday, while appearing on ARISE Television’s Daybreak, where he reacted to Baba-Ahmed’s recent comments about Obi and other potential contenders in the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in 2023, recently declared that none of the leading presidential contenders has what it takes to transform Nigeria.
However, Okonkwo, who is the spokesman for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said he understands why Baba-Ahmed made the comments attributed to him, having been part of the same political movement in 2023.
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“I understand why he made his comment about Peter Obi, because we were in the same trenches together, and I can tell you that he may be suffering from what I call a post-political identity crisis,” Okonkwo said.
He recalled the optimism that surrounded the Obi-Baba-Ahmed campaign in 2023, noting that many supporters joined the movement because they believed it represented an opportunity for a major change in Nigeria’s political direction.
According to Okonkwo, the movement was also unusual because many of its supporters were driven by what they could contribute rather than personal or material benefits.
His comments come amid growing political disagreements involving Obi and Baba-Ahmed as the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape.
Baba-Ahmed has increasingly criticised Obi’s political choices, while Obi has continued to position himself for another presidential contest after his strong performance in the 2023 election.
The latest development has also triggered reactions from other political commentators, including Prince Isaac Fayose, who recently accused Baba-Ahmed of being bitter over Obi’s decision not to select him as his running mate again.
