- Datti Baba-Ahmed declares 2027 presidential ambition
- Says his plan is not tied to Peter Obi
- Confirms ambition predates the 2023 election
- Labour Party leadership welcomes his decision
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential race, made his declaration on Wednesday at a rally held at the Labour Party national secretariat in Abuja.
Addressing party faithful, Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims that his decision was influenced by Obi’s recent exit from the party, stressing that he had always harboured presidential ambitions.
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“I have made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I am not following anyone’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he said.
The former lawmaker reminded supporters that he had shown interest in the presidency even before the 2023 election cycle.
“Before His Excellency Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I had already aspired to that office. The records are there,” Baba-Ahmed added.
He recalled contesting in the PDP presidential primaries in 2018 before later joining forces with Obi in the Labour Party for what he described as a rare opportunity to promote national unity.
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Baba-Ahmed also addressed concerns around religion and ethnicity, stating clearly that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equal political rights for all citizens.
“Yes, I am a practising Muslim. Yes, I am a Hausa man. But above all, I am a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. I am doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.
While confirming his intention, he assured party members that he would respect all INEC and Labour Party guidelines once the official timetable is released.
Reacting to the announcement, Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining loyal to the party despite speculations of possible defection following Obi’s departure to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Peter Obi’s exit has sparked debates about the Labour Party’s future, with Baba-Ahmed now emerging as a key figure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
