Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former special adviser to the vice president, has cautioned Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to rein in his supporters and embrace a calmer, more calculated strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Baba-Ahmed spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he warned that persistent insults and aggressive conduct by Obi’s supporters could damage his democratic prospects.
He said both Obi and some of his followers were “not helping his case”, arguing that unrestrained attacks risk alienating key political stakeholders.
The former presidential adviser acknowledged Obi’s nationwide engagements, describing him as one of the most travelled politicians in recent times and praising his efforts to stay connected with grassroots supporters.
However, he said Obi must now confront the reality of contesting against experienced and “hard line politicians” who are equally determined to secure party tickets.
Baba-Ahmed urged Obi to emulate Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, by openly calling his supporters to order and discouraging the trading of political insults.
“I think Peter Obi, all these people and himself are not helping his case,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“What he really needs to do, I think, is to go out and soil his boots.
“I think he’s the most traveled politician I’ve seen in recent times, and that’s good for him.
“He tried to stay in touch with grassroots, which is good for him, but what he needs to do now is to really sit down with these people and come to terms with the fact that he is now running against hard line politicians who also have their eyes on the same thing that he has his eyes on.
“What Vice President Atiku did in terms of saying to his people, calm down. We don’t want to start trading insults with each other was the right thing Peter Obi should do twice as much.
“I did a program two or three days ago where I mentioned the fact that Peter Obi would lose 100 conventions.
“You will be amazed at the number of people who commented and insulted me and say, Oh, look at these people.
“How do they think Peter will line up behind Atiku?
“I’m afraid, in the democratic process, that’s how it’s done there.
“You can have a consensus candidate, but you need to have the consensus of people like Atiku, maybe even Amaechi.
“And maybe there are one or two dark horses who are working behind the scene.
“The problem, the point is that ADC’s ticket is up for grabs, but it will be a very, very difficult task for anybody to get it, other than President Atiku.”
Recall that The Witness reported that Atiku implored supporters of opposition figures to desist from personal attacks, saying such conduct only advances the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also said anyone directing insults at Obi or at himself does not genuinely represent the interests of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
