Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dispelled speculation about his alleged alignment with any political coalition outside the Labour Party (LP). In a firm declaration, he reaffirmed his dedication to the party and his ongoing support for its 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi.
During a recent interview on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims that he was considering a move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any alternative political platform. According to him, his recent reconciliation efforts within the Labour Party are not a political strategy for personal gain, but rather a sincere attempt to restore unity and public trust.
“The Abure faction is yearning for leadership,” he said, referring to the internal crisis rocking the party. “I told them I am going to do it. While I was there to reconcile the party, I was also reconciling the Labour Party with the general public. I was doing many things at once.”
There have been suggestions that Baba-Ahmed’s outreach might be a strategic safeguard, especially if a broader opposition coalition emerges to challenge the ruling APC, possibly involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. However, Datti shut down such notions, questioning the relevance of ADC in 2023.
“My thinking was, ‘convince me why I should come to ADC.’ Where was ADC in 2023 when Labour Party claimed we got 10 million votes?”
He further emphasized that his political loyalty remains with Labour Party, even if future dynamics change.
“I repeated the welcome that Labour Party’s arms are open to embrace Peter Obi back. I would like him to again win the nomination of LP and contest in 2027 — with or without me.”
Datti Baba-Ahmed’s comments come at a time when opposition alliances are being discussed behind closed doors ahead of the 2027 general elections, but his position seems to affirm LP’s internal efforts to regroup and re-strategize around its core leadership.
