Baba‑ Datti Ahmed Emphasizes Independent Presidential Ambition
Senator Datti Baba‑Ahmed, former vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 general election, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. The announcement was made at a high-profile rally held today at the Labour Party National Secretariat in Abuja, igniting fresh momentum and debate within the nation’s opposition landscape. (punchng.com)
In a powerful address to party members, supporters, and political watchers, Baba‑Ahmed emphasized that his ambition to lead Nigeria predates the 2023 elections, and that his decision is anchored in a genuine desire to serve, not merely as a reaction to recent political shifts.
“I made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he stated. (punchng.com)
Baba‑Datti Ahmed acknowledged the sensitive nature of ethnic and religious politics in Nigeria, affirming that the constitution permits every qualified Nigerian to seek the presidency irrespective of background.
“Yes, I am a Muslim, and I’m a Hausa man — and the Nigerian constitution allows me to contest,” he declared, while urging Nigerians to look beyond identity politics for the sake of national unity. (punchng.com)
His declaration comes amid significant realignments in Nigerian politics. Former Labour Party presidential candidate **Peter Obi recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a growing coalition aimed at presenting a united opposition against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. (authorityngr.com)
Unlike Obi, Baba Datti‑Ahmed reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party platform, dismissing speculations about defecting alongside his former running mate. He pledged to stay the course with the party that propelled him into national prominence in 2023. (channelstv.com)
Political observers note that the opposition scene ahead of 2027 remains fragmented, with different camps vying for influence. Leaders like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are also positioning themselves strategically — with Obi’s involvement in ADC stirring conversations about coalition unity and ticket jockeying. (thecable.ng)
Meanwhile, the 2027 race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and closely watched in Nigeria’s democratic history, with debates around governance, national identity, and socio-economic direction taking center stage.
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