Labour Party vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed claims that he has entered the race for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, describing the reports as misleading and speculative.
Speaking during a televised interview, Datti clarified that his recent public comments were limited to reaffirming his continued membership of the Labour Party, not an ambition for the presidency.
According to him, narratives suggesting otherwise were exaggerated beyond context.
“I did not announce any presidential intention,” Datti said. “What I did was to restate where I belong politically, and that remains the Labour Party.”
Furthermore, he explained that discussions around future elections were premature, stressing that political processes are guided by timelines and party procedures rather than personal projections.
He noted that formal declarations can only come after the electoral umpire releases its schedule.
“In our system, nobody wakes up and crowns himself a candidate,” he said. “You wait for INEC, and you wait for your party to open the door.”
Datti, however, reserved strong words for social media commentators, accusing them of deliberately amplifying half-truths to provoke public emotion and generate attention.
He argued that such practices distort democratic conversations and mislead citizens.
Meanwhile, his remarks come amid renewed political realignments following Peter Obi’s recent involvement with the African Democratic Congress-led coalition.
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in 2023, announced the move while addressing supporters at a political gathering in the South-East.
Despite the development, Datti maintained that his relationship with Obi remains intact, insisting that political platforms should not be mistaken for personal divisions.
He added that the Labour Party still has the capacity to mount a serious national challenge.
“Political choices evolve, but respect and partnership remain,” Datti said.
“Labour Party is still large enough to compete, and anyone who believes in its ideals is welcome.”
He also suggested that Obi’s political journey within the coalition may not be final, noting that a return to the Labour Party would be accepted without resistance if circumstances change.
“If Peter decides to come back, the doors are open,” he said. “There is no hostility here, only a shared objective of national renewal.”
Datti concluded by urging clarity in political communication, emphasising that Nigerians deserve facts rather than assumptions as conversations about 2027 gradually emerge.