Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has said he was subjected to insults and personal attacks after expressing the opinion that Peter Obi would struggle to defeat Atiku Abubakar in a convention-based presidential primary of the **African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Baba-Ahmed said his comments were repeatedly misinterpreted as an attack on Obi, when they were intended as a sober assessment of Nigeria’s internal party politics. He explained that convention primaries are determined largely by party delegates and entrenched political structures rather than public popularity.
According to him, Atiku’s long-standing political experience, extensive nationwide networks, and familiarity with delegate politics give him a significant advantage in a convention setting. He argued that while Obi commands strong public support, particularly among young and urban voters, such popularity does not automatically translate into delegate votes at party conventions.
The former presidential adviser noted that his remarks triggered a wave of backlash, including insults, which he described as a reflection of growing intolerance for dissenting opinions within opposition political discourse.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that political analysis should not be confused with personal hostility, stressing that parties must confront political realities if they hope to mount a credible challenge ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that ignoring how party primaries work could weaken the opposition, regardless of a candidate’s nationwide appeal.
His comments have since reignited debate over the suitability of convention-based primaries and whether opposition parties like the ADC should consider alternative nomination processes to better align popular support with internal party decision-making.
Abuja Network News
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