Former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has outlined what ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi must do to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket in 2027.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed said Obi would need to recalibrate his political strategy to succeed in the coalition-backed primary of the ADC.
While acknowledging Obi’s prominence as a political figure, Baba-Ahmed noted that his current approach may fall short in a competitive coalition environment dominated by seasoned politicians.
“I think Peter Obi’s people and himself are not helping his case,” he said.
The former presidential adviser praised Obi’s strong public engagement and grassroots appeal, describing him as highly visible and politically active across the country.
“I think he is the most travelled politician I’ve seen in recent times, and that’s good for him. He tries to stay in touch with the grassroots, which is good for him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
However, he cautioned that Obi must recognise the shifting dynamics of the race and the calibre of opponents within the ADC coalition.
“What he needs to do now is to sit down with his people and come to terms with the fact that he’s now running against hardline politicians who also have eyes on the same thing he has his eyes on,” he added.