Datti Baba-Ahmed, who ran as the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023, has warned that Nigeria’s opposition coalition needs to take extraordinary measures if they want to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
His comments come after opposition politicians unveiled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday as their chosen platform to challenge Tinubu in the next election.
The coalition brings together heavyweight political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed described Tinubu as a political mastermind who spent 16 years methodically working towards the presidency.
However, he expressed doubts about whether the coalition members are truly willing to put Nigeria’s interests above their own political ambitions.
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“I don’t yet see anyone in this coalition who can scheme and plan over 16 years. With all due respect to Atiku, he has contested consistently—this will be the seventh time,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“But tell me: is there anyone else in the coalition who will say, ‘Let it be the other person, and I will support them’? I’m yet to see that. Everyone seems only interested in their candidacy.”
Baba-Ahmed highlighted Tinubu’s patient approach to power, noting how the current president strategically supported others before claiming the presidency for himself.
“He stayed committed for 16 years and took it in 2023,” he said.
He then detailed Tinubu’s long-term strategy, showing how the president built relationships and waited for the right moment.
“Tinubu gave Atiku the ACN in 2007. Gave it to Ribadu in 2011. Backed Buhari in 2015. And waited until 2023 to take it himself. I’m saying: to defeat this phenomenon called Tinubu, you must do the unthinkable.
“If this coalition—which I recognise—thinks it’s business as usual, it won’t work. It has to be less about individual ambition and more about Nigeria. More action, less talk. Because talk is cheap.”
