Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate says leadership should not be a lifetime ambition
Former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated attempts to become Nigeria’s president, describing the trend as a symptom of the country’s entrenched political recycling culture.
Speaking during a recent public engagement in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed questioned why the same political figures continue to dominate the presidential race decade after decade, arguing that Nigeria’s leadership crisis is worsened by the refusal of long-standing politicians to step aside for a new generation.
“When I was building businesses and creating jobs, some people were already running for president and are still running today,” Baba-Ahmed said, in remarks widely interpreted as a swipe at Atiku, who has contested the presidency multiple times since 1993
Baba-Ahmed stressed that leadership should be about service and solutions, not personal ambition sustained over several election cycles. According to him, Nigeria’s growing population, economic hardship and youth unemployment demand fresh ideas and leaders with modern governance skills.
He argued that persistent presidential ambitions by the same political elite reflect a failure of internal party democracy and a lack of ideological depth within Nigeria’s major political parties.
The comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures exploring new coalitions and platforms. Atiku Abubakar, a former PDP presidential candidate, has recently been linked to opposition alliance talks, fueling speculation about another possible presidential bid.
Baba-Ahmed, however, maintained that Nigeria’s future cannot be built on recycled leadership, insisting that the focus should be on competence, integrity and national renewal rather than political longevity.
His remarks have sparked debate across political circles, with supporters praising his candour while critics accuse him of targeting senior opposition figures at a sensitive time for coalition building.
Despite the controversy, Baba-Ahmed said his comments were motivated by concern for Nigeria’s long-term stability and democratic growth.
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