Former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has reaffirmed his commitment to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that he remains loyal to the platform that brought him into national prominence during the 2023 presidential race.
Baba-Ahmed, 56, made the declaration on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where he dismissed speculations that he might defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the exit of his former running mate, Peter Obi.
The Kaduna-born politician was Obi’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, in which the Labour Party ticket lost to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). While Obi reportedly left the Labour Party about two years after the polls to align with the ADC—a party now serving as the platform for an opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling APC—Baba-Ahmed said he had no intention of following that path.
“I remain in the Labour Party,” Baba-Ahmed said, stressing that his loyalty to the party is rooted in principle and conviction. He added that the LP remains a viable platform for progressive politics and national renewal, despite recent internal challenges and defections.
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The former senator, who represented Kaduna North in the National Assembly, said he is prepared to offer himself for national service ahead of the 2027 elections. According to him, his focus is on contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s recovery and long-term development, rather than engaging in what he described as opportunistic political realignments.
Baba-Ahmed also expressed scepticism about the emerging opposition coalition built around the ADC, stating that he does not share confidence in the party or those driving the alliance. He described key figures behind the coalition as “disgruntled politicians, suggesting that their motivations were not aligned with the genuine interests of Nigerians.
His comments come amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space, as political actors position themselves ahead of the next general elections. The ADC, under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, has been adopted by some opposition leaders as a coalition vehicle to unseat the APC in 2027.
However, Baba-Ahmed’s decision to remain in the Labour Party highlights continuing divisions within the opposition. It raises questions about the extent to which a united front can be formed against the ruling party. Analysts note that the LP, which recorded an unprecedented surge in popularity during the 2023 elections, still retains a significant support base, particularly among young voters and urban populations.
By publicly distancing himself from the ADC coalition, Baba-Ahmed has signalled his intention to chart an independent political course within the Labour Party as preparations for 2027 gradually gather momentum.
