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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has pushed back against criticism of his contribution to the 2023 presidential election campaign, insisting that his impact cannot be measured only by the number of votes attributed to his political base.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed responded to claims that he delivered only about 3,000 votes to the presidential ticket headed by Peter Obi. He argued that such an assessment ignores the broader political value and strategic role he played throughout the campaign.
According to him, his decision to join the ticket was not simply about delivering votes from his immediate constituency or region, but about strengthening the overall credibility and national reach of the Labour Party’s presidential bid. He explained that successful national elections require more than regional support, stressing the importance of building trust across different parts of the country and presenting a balanced ticket capable of appealing beyond a single zone.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that he remained committed to the campaign despite various challenges and criticisms, saying his focus was on the larger objective of securing victory rather than engaging in internal disputes. He also suggested that some of the individuals criticizing him were, in his view, not contributing positively to the party’s broader political ambitions.
He further detailed what he described as behind-the-scenes interventions during the campaign, claiming he played a role in managing and defusing issues that could have negatively affected the ticket’s public image. One such issue, he said, involved concerns about identity card-related disputes within the party, which he claimed were resolved shortly after his emergence as running mate, thereby preventing further escalation.
Baba-Ahmed also pointed to controversies that, according to him, created political difficulties in parts of northern Nigeria, including allegations tied to mosque demolitions during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor. He said such narratives initially posed challenges for the campaign, especially in terms of perception in the North, but insisted that he worked to reduce their political impact and calm tensions where possible.
In addition, he said he was involved in addressing other emerging controversies during the campaign period, including the circulation of the “Yes Daddy” video, which he claimed also had the potential to distract from the party’s message. According to him, efforts to manage such issues were part of his broader responsibility in helping stabilize the campaign and maintain its momentum across different regions.
He concluded by emphasizing that his role in the 2023 race extended beyond vote counts, insisting that his contributions were also focused on damage control, image management, and strengthening the ticket’s national acceptance.
