THE 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed the newly formed opposition coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the group is “deceiving Nigerians” with claims that it can provide an alternative path to rescue the country from its present woes.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed insisted that the real hope for Nigeria lies in the partnership between him and his 2023 principal, Peter Obi, who has already signaled interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed declared while reacting to questions about the ADC-led coalition.
The ADC coalition, which has attracted heavyweight politicians such as former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola, has been positioning itself as a broad-based alliance to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
But Baba-Ahmed, who alongside Obi polled over six million votes in the 2023 elections, said Nigerians must not be swayed by “political repackaging,” insisting that Obi should remain in the Labour Party and run again on the same platform.
“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.
On whether he would serve as a running mate again in 2027, Baba-Ahmed did not hesitate to express his willingness.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow. My love for Nigeria is undying, and I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals that are like-minded to restore Nigeria.
“There are only two individuals I would deputise for. The first has not declared anything. The second is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to.”
The Kaduna-born politician also restated his earlier concerns that Nigeria’s fragile political system requires strong leadership, warning that coalition-building without sincerity could worsen the country’s instability.
