By John Umeh
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party and running mate to Peter Obi, has dismissed the much-publicized 2027 ambitions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing it as nothing more than a “grand deception.”
Speaking in a late-night interview with Channels Television on Friday, monitored in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed warned Nigerians against being misled by what he called the “political recycling” of figures who, in his words, “brought Nigeria to her knees” during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
‘ADC Is a Safe Haven for Failed Politicians’
According to the former senator, many of the same politicians who squandered national resources, compromised institutions, and left the country in tatters between 2015 and 2023 are now regrouping under the ADC banner, parading themselves as Nigeria’s saviors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The ADC is a deception,” Baba-Ahmed said bluntly. “Those who ruined Nigeria between 2015 and 2023 cannot now come under a new platform and claim they want to fix the country. Nigerians must not be deceived again.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s greatest tragedy has been a flawed leadership recruitment process that consistently rewards corrupt and self-serving politicians.
“Insecurity is derived from electoral fraud. Corruption is aggravated by the kind of elections we conduct. The destruction of our youth and our judiciary is guaranteed by the fraudulent electoral system we run,” he said.
A Scathing Verdict on Buhari’s Legacy
Baba-Ahmed did not mince words when the discussion shifted to the legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away earlier this year. He recalled Buhari’s role as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) during the Sani Abacha regime, a government globally recognized as one of the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history.
“Nigerians were absolutely disappointed. Buhari was a gentleman who had no trade to his name, but when he returned to politics, everything changed. During the Abacha time, he became part of a system riddled with corruption. Up till now, Nigeria is still recovering stolen money from that era,” Baba-Ahmed declared.
He described the Buhari administration from 2015 to 2023 as “one of the most corrupt in history,” noting that the political “ecosystem” around him thrived on campaign donations, party contributions, and self-interest rather than genuine service to the nation.
“From 2003 to 2015, it was all about campaign contributions. Without party money, the ecosystem around him would starve. So when they finally got power in 2015, they were like wolves. The whole system was about party and campaign contributions. Nothing about governance, nothing about Nigerians,” he added.
On ADC’s ‘New Faces’
Baba-Ahmed took particular issue with the defection of several former Buhari loyalists to the ADC, insisting that Nigerians should see through the facade.
“They are deceiving us. Those who served in the Buhari years, who presided over insecurity, joblessness, and the collapse of our institutions, cannot turn around and wear new political colors. The ADC is not a fresh start; it is the same old deception repackaged for 2027,” he said.
Firmly in Labour Party, Loyal to Obi
Despite widespread speculation about possible new alliances ahead of 2027, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party and his loyalty to Peter Obi, stressing that he has no plans to defect.
“I am in Labour Party, for God’s sake. I am a Peter Obi man, and I want him to contest again in 2027,” he declared.
He further emphasized that only a political movement anchored on truth, justice, and genuine reform can rescue Nigeria, not coalitions built on recycled politicians and false promises.
The Bigger Picture for 2027
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks are expected to deepen debates within Nigeria’s political landscape as the country inches closer to the 2027 elections. While the ADC has been positioning itself as a viable “third force” backed by prominent coalitions, critics like Baba-Ahmed argue that the party has become a refuge for discredited politicians seeking political rehabilitation.
For Baba-Ahmed, the road to 2027 is not about creating new alliances at all costs but about restoring integrity to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Until we fix the way leaders emerge in Nigeria, we will continue to recycle failure. Nigerians deserve better than deception, and they must not fall for it in 2027,” he concluded.
