Obi, Atiku, Tinubu’s 2027 challengers can’t improve Nigeria – Datti
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has expressed a lack of confidence in the ability of President Bola Tinubu’s major rivals for the 2027 presidential race to revitalize Nigeria.
Speaking on the MicOn Podcast Saturday, Baba-Ahmed, who served as the running mate to Peter Obi, criticized the leading candidates, including Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He suggested that these figures have connections to previous political parties and administrations that he holds responsible for Nigeria’s current challenges.
“I would simply advise uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him,” Baba-Ahmed said. He emphasized that none of the current contenders would bring about improvements for Nigeria, noting that their previous affiliations make them unfit for leadership.
Baba-Ahmed, who advocates for a “new Nigeria,” claims to be the only significant political figure among the leading contenders who has never been part of a ruling party. He pointed out his former membership in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but clarified that he resigned before the CPC merged with other parties to form the APC. “I have never been in a ruling party. When I was in CPC, it was a little opposition party,” he stated, adding, “I never had an APC membership card.”
In addition to discussing the 2027 electoral landscape, Baba-Ahmed addressed ongoing controversies surrounding President Tinubu’s records in the United States. He criticized Atiku for his stance on these issues, indicating that the former vice-president has not consistently raised this matter with sufficient urgency.
Baba-Ahmed argued that while Tinubu has had the opportunity to govern, he should not attempt to extend his tenure beyond a second term. He accused the president of undermining political parties throughout his administration, stating, “All he did in three years was to destroy political parties.”
The upcoming 2027 presidential election is expected to feature several prominent political figures, with various parties and movements already preparing for the contest.
