Datti Baba-Ahmed, 53, is perceived as one of the few politicians in Nigeria without much “dirt” in their political career, despite a controversial stint at the Senate that ended within a year after his election was upturned by the court.
Peter Obi’s decision to choose Mr Baba-Ahmed as his running mate is seen by some as a way of avoiding more popular politicians burdened by allegations of corruption. But the Labour Party candidate only fell back on the economist and university proprietor after unsuccessful merger talks with Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Clean image
Mr Baba-Ahmed is from a rich family with good standing in Northern Nigeria. While his “clean” image may be an asset for the Labour Party, he faces a battle ahead from the political warlords in his native Northwest, a region that is the stronghold of the ruling All Progressive…
