Datti Baba-Ahmed Mocks Atiku’s Endless Presidential Bids, Says ‘He’s Been Contesting Since My NYSC Days Labour Party’s former vice-presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his unrelenting presidential ambitions, saying Nigeria urgently needs new and visionary leaders to move the country forward. Speaking in a recent interview, Datti recalled that Atiku had already been an aspirant when he was serving his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), emphasizing that the former vice president has remained a serial contender in every election cycle without offering Nigerians tangible change. “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was already an aspirant. In 2018, we contested primaries together. In 2023, I was a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere when his own vice president had left him. And now, in 2027 again,” Datti said, expressing frustration at the recycling of old political figures. He lamented that Nigeria’s political landscape has become hostile to genuine reformers and dominated by money politics, godfatherism, and unfulfilled promises that discourage competent citizens from participating. According to him, the nation is full of capable individuals ready to rebuild Nigeria, but the existing political structure prevents them from rising. “There are good Nigerians who can fix this country, but the system is treacherous and discouraging,” he stated. Datti reiterated his belief that a new generation of leaders is ready to take charge, urging Nigerians to rally behind fresh, credible leadership rather than recycling the same political elites. His remarks come amid speculation that Atiku, now linked with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), may once again contest the 2027 presidential election—his seventh bid since 1993.

Is Peter Obi a ‘Political Traveller’ Gifted a Presidential Ticket? Why Labour Party VP Candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed Is Challenging Obi’s ADC Move and Declaring His Own 2027 Ambition Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has launched a pointed political broadside that appears directed at his former principal, Peter Obi, following Obi’s decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. Without naming him directly, Baba-Ahmed described Obi and other defecting politicians as “political travellers” who were “gifted a presidential ticket,” igniting fresh debate over loyalty, leadership, and the future of Nigeria’s opposition ahead of 2027. Speaking while declaring his intention to run for president, Baba-Ahmed insisted that he remains firmly within the Labour Party (LP), arguing that the party already “won a presidential election” and still represents a credible alternative to Nigeria’s dominant political blocs. He dismissed the ADC coalition as a gathering of “disgruntled politicians” who failed to properly challenge alleged constitutional breaches in the 2023 elections, questioning whether such alliances truly offer reform or merely recycle old power structures. At the heart of his message was a bold economic promise: Baba-Ahmed said that by June 2027, salaries of public servants—especially security personnel and teachers—would be quadrupled, insisting that “Nigeria can afford it.” He framed this pledge as a moral obligation to workers often overlooked despite their critical role in national stability and development. Positioning himself as a political outlier, Baba-Ahmed challenged rivals to produce “just one” major presidential aspirant who has never belonged to a ruling party. “I am that one,” he declared, stressing his independence and rejecting what he described as opportunistic movement between power centres. He added that he has no intention of joining any ruling party—except one he hopes to lead through the ballot. The former LP vice-presidential candidate also pushed back against claims that defections are weakening the Labour Party, saying neither he nor the party is responsible. According to him, individuals welcomed into LP in 2022 “with a presidential ticket” merely continued their political journey elsewhere. He urged supporters to “use the truth” amid what he called increasingly hostile online narratives. Recounting political history, Baba-Ahmed asserted that he aspired to the presidency before Peter Obi, citing events from 2018 when he contested in the PDP primaries and personally sought Obi’s support. While he spoke respectfully of Obi’s character, the implication was clear: leadership ambition, he argued, did not originate with his former running mate. Baba-Ahmed also highlighted Labour Party’s achievements despite financial constraints and what he termed “an era of perfected electoral fraud,” pointing to the party’s electoral gains—one state governor, eight senators, and around 40 House of Representatives members—as proof of its growing national footprint. The controversy now raises pressing political questions: Is Peter Obi abandoning the movement that propelled him in 2023? Does the ADC coalition represent a genuine opposition realignment or a gathering of familiar political actors? And can Datti Baba-Ahmed’s pledge of economic reform, party loyalty, and outsider status reshape Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race? As realignments continue, the Labour Party faces a defining moment over identity, leadership, and the path forward in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

Why Is Datti Baba-Ahmed Refusing to Follow Obi Out of Labour Party? As Nigeria looks toward the 2027 general elections, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed has declared he will remain with the Labour Party, distancing himself from the political move made by his former running mate, Peter Obi. Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said he has no intention of leaving the Labour Party, insisting that loyalty and consistency matter in politics. Peter Obi recently exited the Labour Party and aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition-backed platform aimed at challenging the ruling APC. However, Baba-Ahmed dismissed the ADC, describing its members as “disgruntled politicians” and questioning the credibility of the alliance. Speaking at the Labour Party’s national headquarters in Abuja, the former Kaduna North senator also signaled his readiness to play a role in fixing Nigeria ahead of 2027. Discussion Questions: Is Datti Baba-Ahmed right to stay with the Labour Party despite Obi’s exit? Does political loyalty matter more than strategy in Nigerian politics? Is the ADC a genuine alternative or just a coalition of unhappy politicians? Who stands a better chance in 2027: Labour Party loyalists or the new coalition? What do you think?

Can Datti Baba-Ahmed Really Replace Peter Obi? LP’s 2023 Running Mate Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition Amid Party Crisis Is a new political battle for Nigeria’s presidency already taking shape within the opposition—and could Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed be positioning himself as the next major contender? These are the questions dominating political discussions after the former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidency. Baba-Ahmed made the announcement at a rally at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, at a time when the party is grappling with internal realignments following the high-profile exit of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His declaration comes barely days after Obi’s departure, instantly igniting debate about the future direction of the Labour Party and the broader opposition ahead of the next general election. Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed was quick to dismiss any suggestion that his ambition was a reaction to Obi’s political move. Instead, he insisted that his presidential aspiration predates his alliance with Obi, stressing that he was not “following anybody’s trajectory” or attempting to step into anyone’s political space. According to him, records clearly show that he had sought the presidency even before Obi entered the 2023 race. He recalled his participation in the 2018 presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, noting that his eventual decision to serve as Obi’s running mate was driven by what he described as a rare opportunity for national unity rather than personal ambition. For Baba-Ahmed, aligning with Obi was not a surrender of his own political vision but a strategic choice aimed at offering Nigerians an alternative leadership model. Beyond ambition, his speech touched on sensitive but unavoidable themes in Nigerian politics—religion and ethnicity. Baba-Ahmed openly acknowledged his identity as a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but maintained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office. According to him, his decision to run is rooted in what he described as a genuine desire to help rescue Nigeria from its many challenges, rather than sectional or personal interests. However, he also struck a cautious tone, emphasizing that he would respect due process within the Labour Party and the electoral framework. While affirming his intention, he stated that he would not formally pursue the ticket until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable and the party leadership officially calls for aspirants. To him, this approach reflects both loyalty to party structures and adherence to democratic norms. His declaration has added a new layer of complexity to an already evolving opposition landscape. With Peter Obi now outside the Labour Party, questions are being raised about who will command the loyalty of the party’s grassroots supporters, many of whom were mobilized by the “Obidient” movement in 2023. Can Datti Baba-Ahmed inherit that momentum, or will the party struggle to redefine itself without its most visible figure? Reacting to the announcement, Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining within the party despite speculation that he might defect following Obi’s exit. For party loyalists, his decision to stay is being interpreted as a signal of continuity and internal stability. For critics, however, it raises deeper questions: does the Labour Party still have a unified ideological direction, or is it entering a phase of leadership contest and fragmentation? As 2027 approaches, Baba-Ahmed’s declaration invites broader national reflection. Is Nigeria’s opposition finally preparing early for the next election, or is this the beginning of another cycle of internal rivalry that could weaken alternative voices? Can Baba-Ahmed’s experience, ideology, and personal narrative convince Nigerians that he offers something fundamentally different from the political establishment? And perhaps most importantly, can he fill the vacuum left by Peter Obi’s departure—or will the Labour Party need a complete reinvention to remain politically relevant? On Fintter, this development is more than a headline. It is a conversation about leadership, loyalty, and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria. Is Datti Baba-Ahmed the natural successor within the Labour Party, or is his ambition likely to deepen internal divisions? Can he rally young voters and reform-minded citizens the way Obi once did? 💬 What do you think? Is Datti Baba-Ahmed the right figure to lead the Labour Party into 2027—or is the party losing its political identity? Share your views and join the debate on Fintter.

Insecurity in Nigeria Traced to Plot to Unseat Jonathan – Datti Baba-Ahmed. Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has linked Nigeria’s current insecurity to the desperation to remove former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed recalled violent episodes in Kaduna following comments made by Muhammadu Buhari during the 2011 elections. “They went and brought people from neighbouring countries in readiness to remove Jonathan,” he alleged.

Election-Rigger Should Not Succeed Yakubu As INEC Chair — Datti Baba-Ahmed Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says Nigeria cannot afford to have an election-rigger succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as INEC chairman when his 10-year tenure ends on November 9, 2025. Speaking on Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed blamed Yakubu for irregularities in the 2023 polls, which he said undermined constitutional requirements and deepened Nigeria’s political crisis. He stressed that only a credible, independent successor could restore faith in Nigeria’s democracy, adding that electoral fraud fuels insecurity, corruption, and national instability. Yakubu, 75, appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, will be succeeded by a nominee of President Bola Tinubu. #INEC #DattiBabaAhmed #NigeriaElections

2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians, Says Baba-Ahmed, Declares Loyalty To Obi Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition as a deception, insisting it cannot rescue Nigeria from its current challenges. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his loyalty to Peter Obi and declared willingness to be his running mate again in the 2027 presidential election. “I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” he said. Obi, who has signaled interest in the 2027 race, has recently engaged with ADC coalition figures including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola. Baba-Ahmed, however, maintained that his political future is tied to Obi, noting, “There are two individuals I would deputise. The first has not said anything. The second is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to.” #PeterObi #DattiBabaAhmed #NigeriaPolitics2027

Datti Baba-Ahmed Questions ADC Coalition Backed by Atiku, Obi Labour Party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says he’s still trying to understand the African Democratic Congress (ADC) despite its adoption by a new coalition supported by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Speaking on Channels TV, he stressed Labour Party’s unique achievements and hinted at ongoing reconciliation within the party, while uncertainty remains over Obi’s political direction. #DattiBabaAhmed #ADC #PeterObi #NigeriaPolitics

BREAKING: Shettima Slams Datti Baba-Ahmed for Suggesting Tinubu ‘Tried’ in Retaining Him as VP. Vice President Kashim Shettima has fired back at Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, over comments suggesting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had “tried” by retaining Shettima as Vice President. Baba-Ahmed made the controversial remarks during a live appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday. He implied that President Tinubu had gone out of his way to keep Shettima as vice president, adding that what he knew about Shettima could not be disclosed publicly. “On Shettima, I don’t blame Tinubu. Because whoever knows what Shettima did and does, will not allow him last this long,” Baba-Ahmed said. “The airwaves cannot carry it. And I know I’m speaking on TV. I know Tinubu has tried for keeping Shettima this long. Even the consideration that he should be dropped, I think Tinubu has tried. It is a pregnant statement. I wish I could say more. What people do for power is unbelievable.” Reacting on Friday, Shettima’s office issued a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, describing Datti’s comments as “frustrated” and “baseless.” “Baba-Ahmed expressed his frustrations on why the President had yet to remove the Vice President from office for not a single reason or offence he evidently linked him with, but merely to soothe his ego and wish. Well, the bad news for him is that his frustration is just beginning.” Nkwocha accused Baba-Ahmed of making “unprovoked attacks” against Shettima while offering no evidence to justify his claims.

To Defeat This Phenomenon Called Tinubu, You Must Do the Unthinkable — Peter Obi’s VP, Datti Baba-Ahmed. Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, says unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will require more than forming alliances—it will take “the unthinkable.” Speaking on Trust TV, Datti questioned the seriousness and structure of the new opposition coalition, which includes the Labour Party, ADC, and other parties. “To defeat this phenomenon called Tinubu, you must do the unthinkable,” he said. “If this coalition—which I recognise—thinks it’s business as usual, it won’t work. It has to be less about individual ambition and more about Nigeria. More action, less talk. Because talk is cheap.” He warned that superficial unity won’t challenge Tinubu’s grip on power. “People are underestimating Tinubu,” he said. “Even Nigeria’s military rulers didn’t do what he’s doing. From councillor to president, this man has appointed, disappointed, installed, and removed at will. He is powerful.” He highlighted Tinubu’s long-term political planning: “Tinubu gave Atiku the ACN in 2007. Gave it to Ribadu in 2011. Backed Buhari in 2015. And waited until 2023 to take it himself.” Datti urged opposition leaders to suppress personal ambition for national interest. “How many people are willing to suppress their own ambition for the good of Nigeria? That’s the real issue,” he said. hough he supports the coalition and still believes in Labour Party’s strength, he warned: “You don’t come in haphazardly and say you’ll defeat someone who has been planning for decades.”