Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticized the recently formed opposition coalition aligned with the African Democratic Congress, accusing it of misleading Nigerians with claims of national rescue.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, August 22, Baba-Ahmed stated, “they are deceiving us,” in reference to the coalition.
Baba-Ahmed also confirmed his desire to once again run alongside Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
Reflecting on their 2023 campaign, he noted that their candidacy had successfully established a third force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Despite Obi’s current alignment with some members of the ADC coalition, including political figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, and Rotimi Amaechi, Baba-Ahmed expressed hope that Obi would remain in the Labour Party and lead its 2027 presidential bid.
“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.
Responding to questions on whether he would consider serving as a running mate to someone else, Baba-Ahmed clarified that he is open to working with any group whose core mission aligns with his. However, he reiterated his firm support for Obi, saying he would only consider deputising two individuals — one of whom has remained silent, while the other is Peter Obi. He added, “I am always with Peter Obi until he decides not to.”
Baba-Ahmed has also recently taken steps to address internal divisions within the Labour Party, meeting with various aggrieved factions in an effort to restore unity. In contrast, Peter Obi has faced criticism from some quarters for not taking a more active role in resolving the party’s leadership crisis.
