Datti Baba-Ahmed, running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, on Wednesday in Abuja declared his intention to run for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
Ahmed, who had earlier indicated his interest in contesting the presidency while addressing a few supporters at a Labour Party function, said he was fully prepared for the battle ahead.
His declaration came about a week after Peter Obi left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
It was not immediately clear if Ahmed, who is the Pro-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, would be able to successfully actualise his ambition under the LP, as the party has been denied access to the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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The election umpire recently announced that it would not recognise the party’s candidates for the forthcoming election to elect Area Council chairmen and councillors in Abuja.
The decision provoked Labour Party supporters to embark on a protest around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which culminated at the INEC headquarters.
INEC has, however, continued to insist that the tenure of the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party expired in 2024.
Baba-Ahmed expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved before the elections scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
While addressing party supporters, Ahmed noted that his political ambition was not tied to that of Peter Obi.
He said that as a Nigerian citizen, the Constitution guarantees his right to contest for the highest office in the land.
He also dismissed claims that the party’s challenges could frustrate his ambition, adding that the party remains intact.
“We will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” he said.
“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 further revealed that his ambition dates back to his days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he nursed the desire to secure the party’s presidential ticket.
“In October 2018, I participated in the PDP primaries in Port Harcourt and walked up to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“If you listened carefully to what I submitted, I saw a rare opportunity for national unity in electing Peter Obi in 2023, and that is why I decided to align with him.”
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim, but I am a Nigerian, and the Constitution allows me to contest. You asked about my ethnicity.
“Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian Constitution also allows me to contest. I am doing this because Nigeria needs help.
“However, as a law-abiding citizen and a loyal party member, until INEC releases the timetable and the leadership of the Labour Party calls for interested aspirants, I will not say anything further. But remember, Nigerians know the truth.”
The party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, commended Baba-Ahmed for remaining in the party despite speculation that he might follow Obi’s path.
He said the decision demonstrated faith in the party’s ability to survive its current challenges.
“Only recently, Abia State Governor Alex Otti told the world that he joined the party before Peter Obi did, which is true. Otti also said he was not going to defect with Peter Obi,” Abure said.
“On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed.
“He said he was not leaving the party because it was the platform on which he, alongside the former presidential candidate, received 10 million votes from Nigerians, which was later reduced to six million votes. We all know what happened.”
Abure also disclosed that Baba-Ahmed personally suggested a meeting of party leaders and members to reaffirm unity within the party.
“In fact, he asked me to organise an event where members could come together. He initially suggested that we meet at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel with a few senior members, and that he would foot the bill,” Abure said.
“But I suggested that we hold the event here at the party secretariat and invite our members, artisans and ordinary people who truly own the party, and he agreed. That is why we are having this gathering here today.”
