The Presidency has fired back at Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, over his comments that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not contest the 2027 presidential election “if he is a smart politician.”
In a strongly worded response, the Presidency described Baba-Ahmed’s remarks as “illogical logic,” while insisting that President Tinubu would not only seek re-election but also win “comfortably,” citing his ongoing reforms and achievements in office.
Baba-Ahmed had, during an interview on the political program Prime Time on ARISE News Channel, argued that the political tide in Nigeria had shifted, and that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leader, President Tinubu, would not survive the 2027 polls.
“If he is that smart, everything is there to show that he is going to lose in 2027,” Baba-Ahmed said. “There are two possible candidates I cannot name now, but they are Tinubu’s nemesis.”
He further accused the APC of deceiving Nigerians, saying the party failed to tackle corruption or improve security during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and that the current administration was showing no signs of doing better.
“Their time is up,” he added, stating that Nigerians were waking up and demanding real democracy. He said the electorate would not tolerate bad leadership much longer and would unite across party lines to elect better leaders in 2027.
In a direct rebuttal posted on X (formerly Twitter), President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s analysis as weak and baseless.
“Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s ‘illogical logic’ was all over the place in his recent interview,” Dare wrote. “He peddled arguments that were flawed, devoid of reason and empty. He must have as well dropped from space, going by what he spewed out during the interview.”
Dare likened listening to Baba-Ahmed’s political commentary to enduring false prophecies from “charlatan prophets.” He also criticised both Baba-Ahmed and his former running mate, Peter Obi, describing them as a “double whammy” in Nigerian politics.
“If listening to a Peter Obi interview was a punishment, listening to Baba-Ahmed, his defunct running mate, is a torment,” Dare said. “His political logic is not fit for even a first-year political science class.”
Dare accused Baba-Ahmed of avoiding discussions about President Tinubu’s policies and reforms, choosing instead to dwell on speculations and past political events.
“He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity,” he stated. “Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
According to Dare, politics is not a field for “theorists or the faint-hearted,” and Baba-Ahmed does not have what it takes to engage meaningfully in the country’s political discourse.
“Politics is for those with a solid track record of performance, the courageous, far-sighted and gifted – qualities he clearly lacks,” Dare added.
Defending Tinubu’s presidency, Dare highlighted several ongoing reforms and the support they have received from global institutions.
“The positive impacts of the tough choices President Tinubu has made in the interest of the country are already being felt,” he said. “Even the IMF recently acknowledged – ‘Tinubu’s reforms have put the economy in a better position to navigate this external environment.’”
These reforms, according to the government, include the removal of fuel subsidies, efforts to unify the foreign exchange market, and measures aimed at attracting foreign investment.
Dare also pointed out that many global investors and development partners are beginning to view Nigeria more positively, largely due to the administration’s decisive policy direction.
Reiterating the Presidency’s confidence ahead of the next general election, Dare said President Tinubu would not only contest but would win easily.
“He will win comfortably based on performance and the broad support of Nigerians who understand what leadership in difficult times means,” Dare stated.
He urged Baba-Ahmed to focus on rebuilding his political career rather than spending time making unproductive television appearances.
“If Datti Baba-Ahmed is smart, he will simply keep quiet and leave politics for those equipped for that complicated art,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The election outcome was disputed, but upheld by the Supreme Court.
Since taking office, Tinubu has launched several controversial economic reforms that have led to hardship for many Nigerians, including the removal of fuel subsidies and changes to foreign exchange policy.
While his supporters say these moves are necessary to reset the Nigerian economy, critics argue that the reforms are poorly implemented and have deepened poverty and inflation.
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former senator and entrepreneur, was Peter Obi’s running mate during the 2023 election under the Labour Party. The duo gained significant support among young Nigerians, especially in urban areas, but failed to win the presidency.
