Baba-Ahmed May Run For Presidency In 2027 Says LP Remains Intact

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, has hinted at a possible presidential ambition on the platform of the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

Baba-Ahmed spoke on Wednesday while addressing party members at a rally held at the Labour Party National Secretariat in Abuja.

His comments followed the decision of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to leave the LP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Baba-Ahmed said he had chosen to remain in the Labour Party and would make his political decision known at the appropriate time. He added that he bore no grudge against Obi over his defection.

The former lawmaker recalled that the Labour Party platform allowed both of them to secure over 10 million votes in the 2023 election, which he said was later reduced to about six million.

“I am my own boss. I contested for the presidency in 2019 before Peter Obi. I agreed to partner with him in 2023 because I saw an opportunity to unite Nigerians,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“I am a Nigerian. I am a Hausa man and a Muslim. Bola Tinubu is a human being, and there are human beings in the Labour Party. I have what it takes.”

Earlier, the Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party noted Obi’s exit would not negatively affect the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.

Abure acknowledged Obi’s contributions to the party’s performance in 2023 but said it would be wrong to attribute the party’s success solely to him.

He said the party had strengthened its image and attracted influential figures even before Obi joined, stating that Abia State Governor,  Alex Otti, became a member of the Labour Party earlier and indicated he would not defect.

Abure disclosed that Baba-Ahmed personally informed him of his decision to remain in the party on the night Obi defected and requested a gathering of party members.

According to him, the rally was organised at the party secretariat to allow ordinary members and supporters to participate.

“The Labour Party is intact. We will remain united and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” Abure said.