By Peter Omopo
The Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, as Nigeria’s opposition landscape continues to undergo significant realignments.
Baba-Ahmed made the declaration on Wednesday during a rally at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
His announcement comes about a week after the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, announced his departure from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development that has intensified debate over the future direction of the party and the opposition bloc.
Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed dismissed suggestions that his ambition was influenced by Obi’s exit, stating that his presidential aspiration predated the 2023 general election.
“I have made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I am not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes. Before His Excellency Peter Obi filed to contest for president, I had already aspired to the office. The records are there,” he said.
The former lawmaker recalled his earlier bid for the presidency, noting that he had previously contested in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries before later joining forces with Obi on the Labour Party platform. He explained that his decision to step aside in 2023 was motivated by the need to promote national unity.
Baba-Ahmed also addressed concerns relating to religion and ethnicity, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. Yes, I am a Hausa man. But I am first a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. I am doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.
While confirming his ambition, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he would adhere strictly to party regulations and electoral guidelines, adding that he would not take further steps until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Labour Party release their official timetables.
In his reaction, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, commended Baba-Ahmed for remaining in the party despite speculation that he might defect following Peter Obi’s exit.
The declaration further highlights the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition as political actors begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
