2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed joins presidential race, distances bid from Obi’s exit

Former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has announced his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election, reaffirming his long-standing ambition to lead Nigeria.

Baba-Ahmed made the announcement on Wednesday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, barely a week after the LP’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Addressing party officials and supporters, the former senator clarified that his presidential aspiration is not a reaction to Obi’s departure from the party.

He stressed that his interest in the presidency dates back several years and is independent of recent political developments.

“I am offering myself for the presidency in 2027. This decision is not about following anyone or replacing anyone,” Baba-Ahmed said.

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He recalled that he had pursued the presidency even before the 2023 general election, adding that he had previously participated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries in 2018 before later joining forces with Obi under the Labour Party.

Baba-Ahmed explained that his decision to serve as Obi’s running mate in 2023 was motivated by his belief that the ticket represented a rare chance to foster national unity and drive meaningful change in Nigeria.

He maintained that his renewed declaration reflects his commitment to offering purposeful leadership and advancing policies aimed at addressing the country’s long-standing challenges ahead of the 2027 polls.

The Star