Former Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed made the declaration at a party rally held at the Labour Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where he addressed party leaders, members, and supporters.
His announcement comes barely one week after the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, announced his departure from the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Addressing the gathering, Baba-Ahmed stated that his presidential ambition was neither reactionary nor influenced by recent political developments, stressing that his aspiration predates the 2023 general elections.
“I have made myself available to contest for the office in 2027. I am not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he said.
He further reminded party members that his interest in the presidency came before the 2023 election cycle.
“Before His Excellency, Governor Peter Obi, filed for the presidency, I had already aspired to run for the same office. The records are there for everyone to see,” Baba-Ahmed added.
Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led Labour Party leadership has downplayed concerns surrounding Peter Obi’s exit, insisting that the party remains strong, united, and capable of competing effectively in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the rally, Abure said the Labour Party’s growth and popularity were the result of collective effort and sustained reforms, not the influence of a single individual.
“We had already laundered the image of our party, with many influential people expressing interest in joining us, and some actually joining,” he said.
Abure cited Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, as an example, noting that he joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi and has made it clear that he would not defect alongside him.
“He stated clearly that he was not going to defect with Peter Obi,” Abure said, describing the development as evidence of the party’s stability.
The Labour Party chairman acknowledged the role Peter Obi played in the party’s performance during the 2023 elections but cautioned against attributing the party’s success solely to his influence.
According to him, the party’s progress began long before Obi’s entry and was driven by reforms and grassroots mobilisation.
Recounting events following Obi’s departure, Abure revealed that Baba-Ahmed personally contacted him to reaffirm his loyalty to the Labour Party.
“On the night Peter Obi left the party, I received a telephone call from our 2023 Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed,” he said.
Abure disclosed that Baba-Ahmed made it clear he would not leave the party, describing it as the platform that earned the presidential ticket millions of votes in the 2023 elections.
“He said he would not leave the party because it was the platform upon which he and the former candidate received millions of votes from Nigerians,” Abure added.
According to Abure, Baba-Ahmed also proposed a reconciliation meeting involving party leaders and stakeholders, later agreeing that such engagement should extend to the grassroots supporters.
