Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, has addressed speculation about his political plans, saying he may consider contesting the presidency in 2027 only if Peter Obi, his former running mate, decides not to run.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Baba-Ahmed explained that his decision would also depend on whether another unnamed political figure from the south chooses to stay out of the race.
He stressed that seeking the presidency is not a desperate ambition for him, emphasising that his priority remains tackling insecurity and corruption.
“If Peter Obi doesn’t contest, and one other person whose name I won’t mention from the South also doesn’t, then I’ll consider it,” he explained. “Otherwise, I’m not ambitious. My key ambition is to stop the killings and stop the stealing.”
“I would like Peter Obi to win the nomination of the Labour Party and contest in 2027, with or without me,” he said. “I religiously supported Peter Obi, and I would do it again.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Baba-Ahmed noted that he ran for the presidency in 2019 alongside other aspirants but did not succeed. He expressed continued loyalty to the Labour Party and dismissed speculation about a possible defection.
“I’ve not seen enough reason to move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” he said, affirming his commitment to remaining within the Labour Party.