A former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to rein in his supporters and adopt a more measured strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed gave the advice on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he warned that unchecked attacks and insults by some Obi supporters could weaken his political prospects.
He acknowledged Obi’s extensive nationwide engagements, describing him as one of the most travelled politicians in recent times and commending his efforts to stay connected with grassroots supporters.
However, Baba-Ahmed said Obi must recognise that he is now contending with experienced and determined politicians who are equally focused on securing party tickets and building alliances.
He advised Obi to emulate the approach of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by publicly appealing to supporters to remain calm and avoid trading insults across political camps.
According to him, such restraint would strengthen Obi’s standing within the democratic process, noting that consensus-building and negotiation remain central to party politics.
Baba-Ahmed added that securing a presidential ticket would be a tough task for any aspirant, stressing that success often depends on the ability to win over key political figures and manage supporter conduct effectively.