Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared details of a recent encounter with Labour Party leader Peter Obi, offering insight into why he believes Obi faces an uphill battle in forming the broad political coalition needed to win the presidency.
Recounting the interaction in a post, Ahmad explained that the meeting took place at the residence of the late elder statesman Alhaji Aminu Dantata during a condolence visit. “When I arrived at Baba’s residence this morning, several dignitaries were already seated for the prayer session,” he wrote. “I greeted Mallam Mamman Daura, then Atiku Abubakar, who was beside him, followed by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Mr. Peter Obi, who was seated on the same row.”
Ahmad noted that Peter Obi recognized him from a recent social media post and later offered condolences for the late elder statesman. “He also commended my continued loyalty to Baba even after his presidency,” Ahmad said.
According to him, there was no political conversation or photo-taking until much later, when Obi was preparing to leave. “We spoke briefly. In a lighthearted tone, Mr. Obi joked that I should come support him and mentioned seeing vast land for agriculture on his way to Daura,” he added.
Ahmad said the encounter was respectful and non-political, yet the backlash he received after posting photos from the event came not from his own party members, but from Obi’s online supporters—commonly known as “Obidients.”
“To my surprise, it was Obi’s supporters who launched attacks on me, not members of my party,” he wrote. “It’s unfortunate, but with such a base—experts in bullying, gatekeeping, and intolerance—it’s hard for Mr. Obi to build the broad coalition necessary to become President.”
He emphasized that the meeting was not pre-arranged and that Obi had come to pay respects to Buhari, not to engage in political discussions. “Let me be clear—I didn’t visit Peter Obi; he came to us out of respect for Baba, and the exchange was purely humane during a time of mourning,” Ahmad said.
Concluding his remarks, Ahmad stated that while Obi’s supporters may be passionate, their hostile tactics may be doing more harm than good to their candidate’s chances: “His supporters alone cannot make him president—and worse, they alienate those who might otherwise be willing to help him get there.
