2027: LP’s Baba-Ahmed Declares Presidential Ambition

Former Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed made the declaration on Wednesday at a rally held at the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja, amid growing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space.

His announcement comes a week after the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, exited the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has sparked debates about the party’s future.

Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed said his ambition was long-standing and not influenced by Obi’s recent political decisions.

“I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he said.

“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 recalled contesting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries in 2018 before later teaming up with Obi in the Labour Party in 2023.

“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 stated.

He explained that his decision to step down in 2023 was driven by a desire for national unity.

“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.

Baba-Ahmed also dismissed concerns around religion and ethnicity, insisting that the constitution permits any qualified Nigerian to seek the presidency.

“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian constitution also allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.

However, he stressed that he would abide by the party and electoral procedures.

“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 noted.

Reacting, Labour Party’s factional national chairman, Mr Julius Abure, praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining in the party despite Obi’s exit, describing it as a sign of the party’s stability.

“On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed. He said he is not leaving the party,” Abure disclosed.

He added that the former vice presidential candidate had proposed a meeting to reaffirm unity within the party.

“The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” Abure said.

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration adds momentum to early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential race, as opposition parties reposition amid shifting alliances.