Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has officially announced his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate, made the declaration at a rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, amid realignments in Nigeria’s opposition parties.
The announcement comes shortly after Obi left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress, raising questions about the party’s direction and its role in the opposition ahead of the next general election.
Addressing supporters, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his presidential ambition is independent of Obi’s political decisions and predates the 2023 election.
He said, “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes. Before Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I had already aspired to run. The records are there for everyone to see.”
Recalling his earlier political efforts, Baba-Ahmed noted that he had contested for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket in 2018 before aligning with Obi in the Labour Party.
“In October 2018, I participated in the PDP primaries in Port Harcourt and even approached Obi for his support. He was gracious. I saw a rare opportunity for national unity with Obi in 2023, and that is why I chose to support him,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also addressed concerns about religion and ethnicity, stressing that Nigeria’s constitution allows all qualified citizens to seek elective office.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but I am also Nigerian. The constitution permits me to contest, and I am doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he stated.
While making his intentions public, he added that he would strictly follow party and electoral rules.
“Until INEC releases the timetable and the Labour Party officially calls for aspirants, I will not take any further steps. But Nigerians know the truth,” Baba-Ahmed concluded.