After voicing his opinion that Peter Obi would have difficulty defeating former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in an African Democratic Congress (ADC) convention-based primary, former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed claimed he was insulted.
In an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed reiterated his previous statements regarding the ADC’s internal dynamics and the probable result of its presidential primary.
“I mentioned that Peter Obi would lose 100 conventions in a program I did two or three days ago,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
“You’ll be astounded at how many people criticized me in comments and asked, ‘How can these people think Peter Obi would line up behind Atiku?’ Unfortunately, that is a democratic process—that’s how it’s carried out.
He insisted that Obi would face significant obstacles if the ADC adopted a national conference to choose its flagbearer, arguing that internal democratic procedures, not personal popularity or sentiment, control party primaries.
In an earlier interview with Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed had said that if the ADC ticket is determined through a convention, Atiku will be in a better position to secure it.
“He will receive the ticket if ADC attends the convention, which it most definitely will, as that is what former Vice President Atiku desires,” he declared.
Additionally, he questioned Obi’s readiness for a very contested primary, claiming that the former governor of Anambra State is not used to multi-candidate convention-style battles.
Baba-Ahmed stated, “One of the reasons Peter Obi is saying, ‘Look at me, I’m not here for number two, I’m not here for convention, I’m here to fly the flag,’ is that he has people who were initially whispering politely to him.”
He claims that those same people are now retaliating, demanding that Obi run on an even playing field.
However, they are now urging people to join the line. He continued, “You’re not the only one with ambition here.”
Baba-Ahmed went on to say that rather than open elections, Obi’s political career has mostly been based on agreements reached by consensus.
Conventions are not Peter Obi’s thing. He warned that such expectations could exacerbate internal conflicts within the ADC, saying, “He just goes there to be anointed.”
Additionally, he said that if Atiku were to win the presidential ticket in the general election of 2027, the party might have an internal crisis.
