Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, has described a brief but unnerving meeting with Department of State Services operatives as a “mild Nollywood drama.”
He stated that his meeting with DSS personnel made him feel sorry for the country.
Baba-Ahmed, who also serves as the founder and chancellor of Baze University in Abuja, disclosed this on Saturday.
The 2027 presidential candidate also denied receiving an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, claiming the anti-corruption agency had no grounds to summon him.
“The EFCC did not invite me, and it is very unlikely they will anytime soon. However, there was a mild Nollywood drama between some gentlemen of the DSS and myself on November 28, 2025. It lasted just two hours and 15 minutes,” he said.
Recounting his experience with the DSS, Baba-Ahmed stated that he voluntarily honored the agency’s request, inquisitive about the motivation behind it.
“To sum it all up, I walked into their national headquarters very curious, wondering, why are you looking for me? I’m not a criminal. The criminals are in your offices and in your corridors of power.
“But anyway, here I am. Talk to me. What do you want? I came out feeling truly sorry for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If these are who you call our leaders, then I understand why the United States of America will have to come and attack terrorists on behalf of Nigerian forces. I feel sorry for us.”
According to him, the interaction raised serious concerns about the country’s leadership and governance.
“But yes, a Nollywood drama played out. They pleaded with me that, please, you know, this government is very weak. And the way you’re punching, it can crash. Now listen, these are what we call paper tigers,” Baba-Ahmed added.
The LP chieftain dismissed any sense of intimidation and advised Nigerians not to succumb to fear, stating that democratic accountability must not be stifled.
“The wind is blowing, and they’re scaring people. Do not be afraid. Trust in God and believe in yourselves. They will add up to nothing.”
The former congressman was reportedly invited by the Department of State Services for comments deemed inciting against the Nigerian state.
According to sources within the military, the invitation stemmed from worries over the former vice presidential candidate’s recent public remarks.
One of the officers disclosed, “A few days ago, Baba-Ahmed was on national television blaming the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“He even went to the length of inciting the military, saying it was President Tinubu’s swearing-in that made it possible for them to look you in the face and call you ‘bloody fools.’
“His comments carry undertones capable of heightening national tension, particularly given the sensitivity of Nigeria’s current political climate. It has nothing to do with politics, but the corporate existence of our nation could be threatened if such rhetoric is allowed to fester.”
Another insider revealed that the DSS invitation was preventive and aimed solely at clarifying intent, not persecution.
