Isaac Fayose, a younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has slammed the 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, over his criticism of Peter Obi, describing him as a “failure” and accusing him of jealousy.

Fayose’s reaction followed Datti’s recent assertion that none of the leading contenders for the 2027 presidential election, including Obi, would be able to improve Nigeria if elected.

Datti, who was Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 general election, made the comment during an interview on Mic On Podcast.

He said Obi had abandoned his “comfort zone” after leaving the Labour Party, while questioning the former Anambra State governor’s prospects ahead of the 2027 election.

“None of the people contesting will improve Nigeria, including Peter Obi. Peter Obi left his comfort zone; he was adopted as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party as far back as 2024,” Datti said.

Reacting in a video posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, Fayose argued that Obi made the wrong choice by selecting Datti as his running mate in 2023.

He maintained that Datti lacked sufficient political influence even in his home state, arguing that Obi’s current running mate was more politically relevant and capable.

“Datti Ahmed is a failure. Nobody knew this man before Peter Obi picked him in 2022 as his running mate.

“In 2023, Datti Ahmed failed to win even his state. When Obi picked this guy in 2022, we were all shouting, who is this guy and why will Obi pick this kind of person? Looking at the way things are going now, Obi got it wrong,” Fayose said.

He further alleged that Datti’s criticism of Obi was motivated by disappointment over not being selected as his running mate for the 2027 presidential contest.

Fayose said Obi’s decision to work with Rabiu Kwankwaso had apparently triggered resentment from his former running mate.

“He is a failure and a jealous man. He is jealous that Obi did not pick him again this time. Datti Ahmed, thank you for wasting our time four years ago,” he said.

The younger Fayose also compared Datti with Obi’s current vice-presidential candidate, asserting that the new choice had greater political strength in northern Nigeria.

“The person we have now as Obi’s vice-presidential candidate is more capable, more popular and wiser than you in the North. You are a waste of time, Mr Datti Ahmed,” he added.