Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has questioned the ability of politicians preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election to significantly improve Nigeria.
Baba-Ahmed made the assessment during an interview on the Mic On Podcast, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
Responding to a question about the advice he would give Tinubu regarding his leadership of the country, the former lawmaker said the President should be prepared to leave office when his tenure ends.
However, he argued that Tinubu should not transfer power to any of the politicians currently positioning themselves against him.
According to Baba-Ahmed, none of the contenders would be capable of delivering the kind of improvement Nigeria requires.
The former Labour Party presidential running mate was subsequently asked whether his assessment covered all the opposition politicians seeking to defeat Tinubu.
Baba-Ahmed maintained that his criticism applied broadly to those challenging the President, arguing that many of them had previously been associated with political establishments that held power.
When specifically asked if his former running mate, Peter Obi, was also included, Baba-Ahmed answered in the affirmative.
He pointed to Obi’s previous membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, which was the ruling party at the time, while questioning the prospects of politicians promising to build what he described as a “whole new Nigeria.”
During the interview, Okinbaloye also challenged Baba-Ahmed over his own political background, noting his participation in politics and previous service in the National Assembly.
In response, Baba-Ahmed insisted that he had never been a member of a ruling political party.
He explained that he belonged to the Congress for Progressive Change when it was an opposition party and later resigned when the party became part of the All Progressives Congress, which subsequently formed the Federal Government.
Baba-Ahmed also maintained that he never possessed an APC membership card, using his political history to distinguish himself from the politicians he criticised.
Baba-Ahmed and Obi were the Labour Party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively in the 2023 general election.
Their political paths have since diverged, with Baba-Ahmed leaving the Labour Party for the Peoples Redemption Party.
READ MORE: Kenneth Okonkwo: Opposition Coalition Only Way To Defeat Tinubu In 2027
Obi also moved away from the Labour Party, later becoming associated with the African Democratic Congress before joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress, which selected him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks come as political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election continues to intensify.
His assessment of Tinubu’s challengers, including Obi, highlights the growing disagreements among former political allies and opposition figures over who can provide an alternative direction for Nigeria.
The comments are also likely to attract attention given the previous 2023 presidential ticket shared by Baba-Ahmed and Obi under the Labour Party.
