The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate to Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally declared his presidential ambition.
Datti’s declaration signalled the party’s first major step toward repositioning itself ahead of the 2027 general elections, after the exit of Obi.
Baba-Ahmed announced his intention to contest the presidency at a rally held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, yesterday.
Although the declaration is coming just one week after Obi defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Baba-Ahmed was emphatic that his ambition was not triggered by the former Anambra State governor’s departure.
He explained that he is not convinced by the ADC, describing members of the coalition as ‘disgruntled politicians.”
The declaration is seen as an attempt by the Labour Party to stabilise its internal political direction and project continuity, at a time when the party is navigating leadership questions and realignment following Obi’s defection.
Addressing party members and supporters, he described his aspiration as longstanding and independent, noting that he had nursed presidential ambitions even before the 2023 elections.
“I have made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes.”
Baba-Ahmed reminded party faithful that he had expressed interest in the presidency before Obi emerged as the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, insisting that documented records support his claim.
“I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes.
“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.
“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.
“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 also addressed concerns about religion and ethnicity, insisting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. You asked about my ethnicity. Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian constitution also allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help.”
However, Baba-Ahmed noted that while he had made his intention known, he would adhere strictly to party and electoral guidelines.
“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. But remember I told you that Nigerians know the truth.”
National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, applauded Baba-Ahmed for remaining in the party despite speculations that he might defect following Obi’s exit.
Abure said the development demonstrated that the Labour Party remained intact, adding that several key figures, including the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, had also chosen to stay back.
“Only recently, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, told the world that he joined the party before Peter Obi did – this is true. Otti also said he was not going to defect to Peter Obi.
“On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed. 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 said Baba-Ahmed personally suggested a meeting of party leaders and members to reaffirm unity within the party.
“In fact, he asked me to organise an event where members can come together. 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.
“The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” he said.
