By John Umeh
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally announced his intention to seek the presidency in the 2027 general election, injecting new momentum into Nigeria’s evolving opposition politics.
Baba-Ahmed made the declaration on Wednesday at a gathering of party faithful held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja. His announcement comes at a sensitive moment for the party, following the recent exit of its 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Addressing supporters, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his decision to contest was long-standing and independent of Obi’s political moves, insisting that his ambition predates the last election cycle.
“I have prepared myself to contest for the office of president in 2027,” he said. “This is not about following anyone or filling any vacuum. My aspiration existed even before the 2023 election.”
He reminded party members that he had once sought the presidency before eventually joining forces with Obi, citing his participation in earlier presidential primaries under the Peoples Democratic Party.
“In 2018, I contested in the PDP primaries in Port Harcourt. It was after that process that I approached Peter Obi and sought his support. When the opportunity for national unity presented itself in 2023, I chose to align with him in the interest of the country,” Baba-Ahmed explained.
The former lawmaker also addressed concerns surrounding religion and ethnicity, describing them as constitutionally irrelevant to leadership qualification.
“I am a Muslim. I am Hausa. I am also a Nigerian, and the constitution permits me to aspire to any elective office,” he said. “I am doing this because the nation urgently needs rescue.”
While publicly stating his intention, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he would abide by all party procedures and electoral regulations, noting that formal campaigning would only begin after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable.
“I remain a loyal party member. Until INEC announces the guidelines and the party opens the process, I will speak no further on it,” he added.
Reacting to the declaration, Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining with the party despite speculation of further defections following Obi’s departure.
According to Abure, Baba-Ahmed’s decision underscores the resilience of the party and reinforces its claim to being larger than any single individual.
“On the night Peter Obi left the party, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed personally called me to say he was staying,” Abure disclosed. “He reminded me that the platform gave us millions of votes in 2023, and that commitment remains.”
Abure also revealed that Baba-Ahmed initiated discussions aimed at uniting party leaders and members, including offering to sponsor a high-level reconciliation meeting.
“He suggested a meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, but we agreed instead to gather here at the party secretariat so that ordinary members—the true owners of the party—could be part of the process,” he said.
The Labour Party chairman added that other prominent figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, have also affirmed their loyalty to the party, dismissing claims that Obi’s exit had weakened its structure.
Baba-Ahmed’s declaration signals an early reshaping of the 2027 presidential contest, as opposition parties begin repositioning amid shifting alliances and renewed internal calculations.
