Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, is a political traveller who junkets across parties for tickets, according to his one-time running mate.

Datti Baba-Ahmed, Mr Obi’s lieutenant in the 2023 presidential election, berated his former ally and others who defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress.

“In this defection case, neither my humble self nor the Labour Party are the aggressor,” stated Baba-Ahmed. “A group of political travellers welcomed into the party with the presidential ticket continued their journey. Simple.”

The politician explained that he had earlier engaged all party members to reconcile them.

“When some heeded my call, others took offence and proceeded to defect. No regrets,” Mr Baba-Ahmed said. “I am my own boss. I contested the presidency in 2019 before Peter Obi. I agreed to partner with Peter Obi in 2023 because I saw an opportunity to unite Nigerians, and I accepted it.”

He stated on Wednesday in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat this while announcing his intention to run for president in 2027.

Mr Baba-Ahmed’s statements followed Mr Obi’s defection from the Labour Party to the ADC in December.