Former Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has said his principal, Peter Obi, is free to seek the presidential ticket of the party for the 2027 elections, whether he returns as his running mate or note.
Baba-Ahmed made the statement on Wednesday during his appearance as a guest on Channels Television programme `The Morning Brief.ʼ
“They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly.
“The Labour Party welcomes him to still come and retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He said Nigeria, at this critical times, needs leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and not deliver failure.
“We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria, leaders that matter, leaders that deliver promises, not those who will promise governance and deliver disaster,” he said.
Asked if Obi’s recent participation in the opposition coalition talks led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amounted to anti-party activity, Baba-Ahmed stated it was not the case.
“This is not an anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation. The meaning of a coalition is that political parties, interest groups, and individuals are coming together. It’s an unfolding situation.
“I attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is welcome to continue to attend those coalition meetings,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
He also expressed his opinion on the contentious issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 general election. He emphasised that the South should produce the next president.
In the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi and Baba-Ahmed ran on the platform of the Labour Party on same ticket, as presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively.
However, Obi finished third in the final results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while Ahmed Bola Tinubu was declared winner.
