Former Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election, signalling an early entry into the next electoral contest.
Baba-Ahmed made the declaration on Wednesday during a rally at the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja, as Nigeria’s opposition landscape continues to experience shifts and internal realignments.
His announcement comes shortly after the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, left the party for the African Democratic Congress, a development that has raised questions about the party’s direction ahead of 2027.
Addressing party faithful, Baba-Ahmed said his ambition predates recent political developments and should not be linked to Obi’s departure.
“I have made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he said.
He added that his presidential aspiration existed before the 2023 election cycle, recalling that he had sought the presidency even before Obi emerged as a candidate.
Baba-Ahmed traced his political journey to the 2018 presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, where he contested before later joining forces with Obi under the Labour Party platform in 2023.
According to him, his decision to step aside in the last election was informed by what he described as a unique opportunity for national consensus.
“I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023, and that was why I decided to support him,” he said.
The former lawmaker also addressed concerns around religion and ethnicity, stressing that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees the right of any qualified citizen to seek the highest office.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but the constitution allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed, however, said he would adhere strictly to party guidelines and the timetable to be released by the Independent National Electoral Commission before taking further steps.
Reacting to the declaration, the factional national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, commended Baba-Ahmed for remaining with the party despite Obi’s exit, describing it as a boost to party cohesion.
Abure disclosed that Baba-Ahmed had contacted him shortly after Obi’s defection to reaffirm his commitment to the Labour Party and propose efforts aimed at strengthening internal unity.
“The Labour Party is intact. We will remain together and provide a credible alternative for Nigerians,” Abure said.
Baba-Ahmed’s declaration is seen as adding fresh momentum to early political calculations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as opposition parties adjust to evolving alliances and internal dynamics.
