Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. His announcement comes at a time of growing political realignments within Nigeria’s opposition parties, especially following the recent exit of Peter Obi from the Labour Party.
Baba-Ahmed made his declaration on Wednesday at a rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The event was attended by party leaders, members, and supporters who gathered to assess the party’s direction ahead of the next general election.
The declaration came barely one week after Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, announced his departure from the party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Obi’s move sparked intense debate about the future of the Labour Party and raised questions about whether key figures would follow him to his new political platform.
However, Baba-Ahmed made it clear that his decision to seek the presidency was not influenced by Obi’s defection. He stressed that his ambition to lead Nigeria predates the 2023 election and should not be seen as a reaction to recent political developments.
“I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” Baba-Ahmed said while addressing party members.
Baba-Ahmed reminded supporters that he had presidential ambitions even before Peter Obi entered the 2023 race. According to him, records exist to support his claim.
“Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see,” he said.
The former lawmaker recalled his earlier attempts to contest for the presidency while he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he participated in the PDP presidential primaries in 2018 held in Port Harcourt.
“In October 2018, I participated in the primaries of the then PDP in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He explained that his decision to run with Obi in 2023 was based on his belief that Obi represented a strong opportunity for national unity and change at the time.
“If you heard me well in what I just submitted, I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023. And that is why I decided to flow with it,” he added.
During his speech, Baba-Ahmed also addressed concerns about religion and ethnicity, which often play a role in Nigerian politics. He insisted that the Nigerian constitution gives every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office, regardless of background.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest,” he said.
“You asked about my ethnicity. Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian constitution also allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” Baba-Ahmed added.
His comments appeared aimed at assuring supporters that his ambition is based on national interest rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
While declaring his interest, Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would respect party rules and the electoral process. He said he would not make further moves until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases the official timetable for the 2027 elections and the Labour Party opens its nomination process.
“However, as a law-abiding citizen and a loyal party member, until the timetable is released by INEC and the leadership of the Labour Party calls for interested aspirants, I will not say anything about it,” he said.
“But remember I told you that Nigerians know the truth,” he added.
Reacting to Baba-Ahmed’s declaration, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, praised him for remaining with the party despite speculations that he might defect following Obi’s exit.
Abure said Baba-Ahmed’s decision showed that the Labour Party remained strong and united, contrary to claims that Obi’s departure had weakened the party.
He also pointed out that other key figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, had chosen to stay in the party.
“Only recently, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, told the world that he joined the party before Peter Obi did – this is true,” Abure said.
“Otti also said he was not going to defect to Peter Obi,” he added.
Abure further disclosed that Baba-Ahmed contacted him personally on the night Peter Obi left the Labour Party. According to him, the former vice-presidential candidate made it clear that he had no plans to leave.
“On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed,” Abure said.
“He said he is not leaving the party because it was the platform upon which he, along with the former candidate, received 10 million votes from Nigerians, which was reduced to 6 million votes. We all know what happened,” he added, referring to controversies surrounding the 2023 election results.
The Labour Party chairman also revealed that Baba-Ahmed played a role in promoting unity within the party after Obi’s exit. He said Baba-Ahmed suggested a meeting of party leaders and members to reassure supporters and strengthen internal cohesion.
“In fact, he asked me to organise an event where members can come together,” Abure said.
“He first suggested that we meet at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel with a few senior members that he would foot the bill,” he added.
However, Abure said he preferred a broader gathering that would include ordinary party members.
“I suggested that we hold the event here at the party Secretariat and invite our members, artisans and ordinary people who truly own the party, and he agreed,” Abure said.
“That is why we are having this gathering here today.”
Abure used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the Labour Party remains united and committed to providing an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down,” he said.
“We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” Abure added.
Baba-Ahmed’s declaration has added a new dimension to the early race for the 2027 presidency. With opposition parties already experiencing shifts in alliances and leadership, his move signals the beginning of early positioning by political actors.