Baba-Ahmed Announces 2027 Presidential Ambition, Pledges Loyalty to Labour Party

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, has officially announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 elections.

The announcement came Wednesday during a rally at the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja, as Nigeria’s opposition landscape undergoes notable shifts.

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration follows the departure of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sparking discussions on the Labour Party’s direction.

Speaking to party members, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his ambition predates Obi’s political moves.

“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 Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him. The records are there for you to see.”

He recalled his participation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries in 2018 and later joining forces with Obi in the Labour Party in 2023.

“In October 2018, I contested in the PDP primaries in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote. He smiled at me—what a gentleman he was,” Baba-Ahmed recounted.

Explaining his 2023 decision to step aside, he cited national unity as his motivation. “I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have Peter Obi elected in 2023. That is why I supported it,” he added.

Addressing concerns over religion and ethnicity, Baba-Ahmed said the Nigerian constitution allows any qualified citizen to contest the presidency. “Yes, I am a practising Muslim and a Hausa man. But I am Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he stated.

He stressed that his campaign would follow party and electoral guidelines. “Until INEC releases the timetable and the Labour Party leadership calls for aspirants, I will not take further steps,” he said.

Labour Party factional chairman Julius Abure commended Baba-Ahmed’s loyalty following Obi’s exit. “On the night Peter Obi defected, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed called to say he is not leaving the party. He proposed a meeting to reaffirm unity,” Abure said.

He added, “The Labour Party is intact. We will remain together and continue to provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians.”

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration marks an early milestone in the 2027 race, highlighting emerging strategies and alignments within Nigeria’s opposition.