BREAKING: Datti Baba-Ahmed officially declares intention to run for president, calls Peter Obi ‘disgruntled politician’ for defecting to ADC 

Former Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, a move that has already sent ripples through Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape.

Baba-Ahmed made his declaration on Wednesday at a well-attended rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where party faithful, youth supporters and political observers gathered to hear what many described as a defining moment for the party’s post-2023 future.

The declaration comes at a time of significant political realignments within the opposition, particularly following the recent defection of LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In his address, Baba-Ahmed did not shy away from controversy. He took a direct swipe at the emerging ADC coalition, describing it as an assemblage of “disgruntled politicians” who, according to him, failed to rise to the occasion during what he termed the constitutional breaches surrounding the 2023 elections.

“The ADC coalition is made up of disgruntled politicians who couldn’t challenge the 2023 constitutional breaches,” Baba-Ahmed declared, drawing loud reactions from supporters at the venue. His comments appeared to be a veiled but pointed criticism of Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party for the ADC barely a week earlier.

Obi’s defection has continued to generate debate across the political space, with analysts divided on whether the move strengthens or weakens the broader opposition ahead of 2027. While Obi has not directly responded to Baba-Ahmed’s remarks, his exit from LP marked a significant turning point for a party that shocked the political establishment in 2023 with its unexpected nationwide appeal, especially among young voters.

Addressing speculation that his declaration was a reaction to Obi’s defection, Baba-Ahmed firmly dismissed such claims. He insisted that his presidential ambition was neither impulsive nor dependent on the political choices of any individual, including his former running mate.

“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 said. “Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see.”

With this statement, Baba-Ahmed sought to establish himself not merely as Obi’s former deputy but as a long-standing political actor with independent aspirations. He emphasized that his vision for Nigeria predates the 2023 election cycle and is rooted in what he described as a lifelong commitment to good governance, constitutionalism and national development.

Supporters at the rally applauded his remarks, chanting solidarity songs and waving party flags. Several speakers who took turns at the event praised Baba-Ahmed for what they described as courage and consistency, urging him to build on the momentum generated by the Labour Party in the last election.

Political analysts say Baba-Ahmed’s declaration underscores the deepening fragmentation within Nigeria’s opposition ranks. Since the conclusion of the 2023 elections, opposition parties have struggled to present a united front, with defections, internal disagreements and leadership tussles dominating headlines. The emergence of new coalitions, including the ADC-led alliance, has further complicated efforts to form a cohesive challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

By openly criticizing the ADC coalition, Baba-Ahmed appears to be positioning himself and the Labour Party as a principled alternative, one that, in his view, stood firm during the legal and constitutional battles that followed the 2023 polls. He argued that political alliances formed out of personal grievances rather than ideological clarity would struggle to inspire genuine change.

Although he did not mention Obi by name in his criticism of the ADC coalition, the timing of his declaration and comments left little doubt about the target of his remarks. For many observers, the episode highlights the growing rift between two figures who once symbolized a unified reformist movement.

Baba-Ahmed also used the occasion to call on Nigerians, particularly young people and professionals, to re-engage with the political process ahead of 2027. He urged them not to lose faith in electoral participation despite the challenges witnessed in previous elections.

“Our democracy will not be fixed by anger alone, or by jumping from one platform to another,” he said. “It will be fixed by courage, consistency and a commitment to doing the right thing even when it is difficult.”

He promised that, if given the mandate, his administration would prioritize electoral reforms, economic restructuring, education and security. According to him, Nigeria’s persistent challenges require leadership that is prepared to confront vested interests and uphold the constitution without compromise.

Reactions to Baba-Ahmed’s declaration have been mixed. While some Labour Party supporters welcomed his decision as a sign of stability and continuity within the party, others expressed concern that the public rift between him and Obi could further weaken the opposition’s chances in 2027. On social media, debates raged over whether the two leaders could still reconcile or whether their political paths have now permanently diverged.

For now, Baba-Ahmed appears determined to chart his own course. His declaration marks the beginning of what is expected to be a long and intensely contested journey to 2027, with alliances yet to be formed, rivalries yet to fully unfold and the Nigerian electorate watching closely.

As the political landscape continues to shift, one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of the opposition has begun in earnest, and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has thrown his hat firmly into the ring.