2027: Obi’s ex-running mate, Baba-Ahmed, declares presidential ambition

The Labour Celebration’s Vice Presidential candidate within the 2023 election, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday formally declared his curiosity in contesting the presidency in 2027, amid ongoing realignments inside Nigeria’s opposition house.

Baba-Ahmed, who was the working mate to former Labour Celebration presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the declaration at a rally held on the get together’s nationwide secretariat in Abuja.

His announcement comes barely one week after Obi introduced his departure from the Labour Celebration for the African Democratic Congress.
This transfer has triggered intense debate over the get together’s future and the route of the broader opposition forward of the following normal election.

Addressing get together members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed mentioned his aspiration was neither reactionary nor depending on Obi’s political choices, stressing that his presidential ambition predates the 2023 election.

He mentioned, “I’ve made myself to contest for the workplace in 2027. I’m not following anyone’s trajectory or getting into anyone’s footwear.

“Can I please remind you that earlier than His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency earlier than him? The data are there so that you can see.”

The previous lawmaker recalled his earlier try and safe his get together’s presidential ticket, noting that he had contested within the Peoples Democratic Celebration primaries years earlier than aligning with Obi within the Labour Celebration.

“In October 2018, I participated within the primaries of the then PDP in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was.

“In case you heard me nicely in what I simply submitted, I noticed a uncommon alternative for nationwide unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023. And that’s the reason I made a decision to stream with it,” he mentioned.

Baba-Ahmed additionally addressed issues about faith and ethnicity, insisting that Nigeria’s structure ensures each certified citizen the proper to hunt elective workplace.

“Sure, I’m a practising Muslim. However I’m a Nigerian, and the structure permits me to contest. You requested about my ethnicity. Sure, I’m a Hausa man, and the Nigerian structure additionally permits me to contest. I’m doing this as a result of Nigeria wants assist,” he mentioned.

Nevertheless, Baba-Ahmed famous that whereas he had made his intention recognized, he would adhere strictly to get together and electoral pointers.

“Nevertheless, as a law-abiding citizen and a loyal get together member, till the timetable is launched by INEC and the management of the Labour Celebration requires aspirants, I cannot say something about it. However keep in mind I advised you that Nigerians know the reality,” he acknowledged.

Reacting, the Nationwide Chairman of the Labour Celebration, Julius Abure, recommended Baba-Ahmed for remaining within the get together regardless of speculations that he would possibly defect following Obi’s exit.

Abure mentioned the event demonstrated that the Labour Celebration remained intact, including that a number of key figures, together with the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, had additionally chosen to remain again.

He mentioned, “Solely lately, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, advised the world that he joined the get together earlier than Peter Obi did – that is true. Otti additionally mentioned he was not going to defect to Peter Obi.

“On the evening Peter Obi defected, I acquired a phone name from our Vice-Presidential candidate within the 2023 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed. He mentioned he isn’t leaving the get together as a result of it was the platform upon which he, together with the previous candidate, acquired 10 million votes from Nigerians, which was lowered to six million votes. Everyone knows what occurred.”

Abure additional disclosed that Baba-Ahmed personally instructed a gathering of get together leaders and members to reaffirm unity throughout the get together.

“Actually, he requested me to organise an occasion the place members can come collectively. He first instructed that we meet on the Transcorp Hilton Resort with a number of senior members that he would foot the invoice.

“However I instructed that we maintain the occasion right here on the get together Secretariat and invite our members, artisans and odd individuals who really personal the get together, and he agreed. That’s the reason we’re having this gathering right here right this moment.

“The Labour Celebration is unbroken, we won’t let Nigerians down. We are going to stay collectively and supply a real different for Nigerians,” he mentioned.

Baba-Ahmed’s declaration has added a recent dimension to the rising 2027 presidential contest, as events start early positioning amid shifting alliances throughout the opposition.