Datti Baba-Ahmed Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition Under Labour Party
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, has officially declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, amid ongoing shifts in the opposition landscape.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, made the announcement during a rally at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
The declaration follows Obi’s recent exit from the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress, a move that has fueled debates over the party’s future and the direction of Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the next general election.
Speaking to party supporters, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his presidential ambition is independent of Obi’s political moves, noting that his desire to contest predates the 2023 election.
He said, “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes. Before Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I had already aspired to run. The records are there for everyone to see.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Baba-Ahmed recalled his 2018 attempt to secure the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket, before later aligning with Obi in the Labour Party.
“In October 2018, I contested in the PDP primaries in Port Harcourt and even approached Obi for his support. He was gracious. I saw a rare opportunity for national unity with Obi in 2023, and that is why I chose to support him,” he explained.
Addressing potential concerns about religion and ethnicity, Baba-Ahmed affirmed that Nigeria’s constitution allows every qualified citizen to run for office.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but I am also Nigerian. The constitution permits me to contest, and I am doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.
While making his intentions public, Baba-Ahmed stressed his commitment to following party and electoral guidelines.
“Until INEC releases the election timetable and the Labour Party officially calls for aspirants, I will not take any further action. But Nigerians know the truth,” he added.
