Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has formally declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, injecting fresh momentum into Nigeria’s evolving opposition politics and the early permutations ahead of the next general election.
Baba-Ahmed made his declaration on Wednesday at a well-attended rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where party members, supporters and stakeholders gathered amid heightened political interest following recent realignments within the opposition space. His announcement comes barely a week after the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, announced his defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has sparked widespread debate about the future of the Labour Party and the broader opposition coalition.
Addressing party faithful, Baba-Ahmed dismissed suggestions that his decision to seek the presidency was prompted by Obi’s departure or influenced by unfolding political events. He stressed that his ambition was long-standing and predated the 2023 election, insisting that he was not stepping into any political vacuum created by Obi’s exit.
“I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I am not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” Baba-Ahmed declared. “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.”
The former lawmaker recalled his earlier attempts to contest for the nation’s highest office, tracing his presidential aspiration to his days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before his eventual alignment with Obi under the Labour Party platform. According to him, his decision to become Obi’s running mate in 2023 was driven by a belief in national unity and the rare opportunity to rally Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines.
“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. “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.”
Baba-Ahmed described the 2023 election as a defining moment that demonstrated the possibility of a new political consciousness in Nigeria, noting that millions of Nigerians, particularly young voters, rallied around the Labour Party in pursuit of credible leadership and good governance. He maintained that his current ambition was rooted in the same desire to rescue the country from its myriad challenges.
Addressing recurring concerns about religion and ethnicity in Nigeria’s political discourse, Baba-Ahmed was emphatic that the constitution guarantees the right of every qualified Nigerian to aspire to elective office, irrespective of background. He dismissed insinuations that his faith or ethnic origin should be a barrier to his ambition.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I am 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 am doing this because Nigeria needs help.”
Despite publicly declaring his intention, Baba-Ahmed said he would abide strictly by the rules and procedures of the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He emphasised that he would not formally commence campaign activities until the official timetable and guidelines are released.
“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.”
His declaration was warmly received by the leadership of the Labour Party, with the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, commending Baba-Ahmed for remaining steadfast in the party despite speculation that he might defect following Obi’s exit. Abure said Baba-Ahmed’s decision to stay demonstrated that the Labour Party remained united and resilient.
According to Abure, the party had continued to enjoy the loyalty of key figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who has also publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour 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.”
The Labour Party chairman further revealed that Baba-Ahmed personally reached out to him on the night Obi announced his defection, pledging his continued loyalty to the party and urging the leadership to take steps to reinforce unity.
“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.”
Abure disclosed that Baba-Ahmed even предложed convening a meeting of party leaders and members to reassure supporters and consolidate internal cohesion. According to him, the former vice-presidential candidate initially suggested hosting the meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja at his own expense.
“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. But 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. That is why we are having this gathering here today.”
Abure reaffirmed the Labour Party’s commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative to the ruling party, insisting that the party remained intact despite recent political shifts. “The Labour Party is intact. We will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” he said.
Political observers say Baba-Ahmed’s declaration adds a new layer of complexity to the emerging 2027 presidential contest, particularly within the opposition. With parties beginning early positioning and alliances shifting, his move signals the start of what is expected to be an intense period of political manoeuvring ahead of the next general election.
As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, insecurity and governance challenges, the coming months are likely to see more declarations, defections and negotiations, with the opposition seeking to reorganise and present a formidable challenge in 2027. For the Labour Party, Baba-Ahmed’s announcement represents both a statement of continuity and a test of its ability to maintain cohesion and relevance in a rapidly changing political landscape.
