Datti Baba-Ahmed Declares 2027 Presidential Bid, Affirms Commitment to Labour Party

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has formally declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027. His announcement was made on Wednesday during a gathering at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, signaling his resolve to remain within the Labour Party despite the recent departure of its former presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi.

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration comes just one week after Obi announced his move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development that has sparked debate over the future of the Labour Party and opposition realignments ahead of the next election cycle. In his address to party faithful, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his ambition is long-standing and not a reaction to Obi’s exit.

“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 stated, recalling that he had sought the presidency even before Obi. “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 senator recounted contesting the Peoples Democratic Party primaries in 2018 and later aligning with Obi under the Labour Party banner in what he described as a move for national unity. He also directly addressed identity politics, affirming his constitutional right to run despite his Muslim faith and Hausa ethnicity.

“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest… I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, Baba-Ahmed made clear that he would await the official commencement of the nomination process by the Independent National Electoral Commission and his party before further steps.

In response, Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure commended Baba-Ahmed for his loyalty, noting that key figures including Abia State Governor Alex Otti had also chosen to remain in the party.

“The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” Abure stated. He added that the gathering was initiated by Baba-Ahmed himself as a show of unity.

The declaration introduces a new dynamic into the evolving 2027 political landscape, as opposition parties regroup and strategize ahead of the upcoming elections.