The 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed his support for Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 presidential election with or without him as a running mate.
Baba-Ahmed made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
Baba-Ahmed said that he has tremendous respect for Obi and welcomed him to contest for the presidency in 2027 under the Labour Party.
He emphasised that the party would still welcome Obi even if he were to contest without him (Baba-Ahmed) as his running mate.
Baba-Ahmed also extended an invitation to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to adopt a Southern candidate.
Baba-Ahmed highlighted the need for a leader who could deliver governance and not disaster.
He stressed that Nigeria required a leader with capacity, compassion, and the ability to develop the country.
According to him, Nigerians need leaders who can deliver on their promises and not those who would promise governance but deliver disaster.
Baba-Ahmed explained that his connection with the coalition, which included Obi, on the platform of the ADC, was not an anti-party activity but an unfolding situation.
He emphasised that the coalition is a coming together of political parties, interest groups, and individuals.
Baba-Ahmed also said that he attended coalition meetings and that Obi is welcome to continue attending those meetings.
On the issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Baba-Ahmed expressed his opinion that the South should produce the president.
Obi, a Southerner, is one of the frontline leaders of the coalition, which has adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
The coalition includes prominent figures such as Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former governors of Kaduna and Osun states, Nasir El-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively.
While the coalition is confident that it could win the presidential election, the ruling APC has dismissed the coalition’s chances, stating that any coalition against President Tinubu would fail.
Baba-Ahmed’s statement highlighted the complexities of Nigerian politics and the dynamics of the coalition.
The 2027 presidential election is shaping up to be a significant contest, with various players vying for position.
The outcome of the election will depend on various factors, including the coalition’s ability to present a united front and the APC’s response to the challenge.
