The Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been pursuing Nigeria’s presidency since his days in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Baba-Ahmed made the comment on Friday while speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he reflected on Atiku’s long-standing ambition to lead the country, noting that it dates back to his service year.
He maintained that Nigeria is overdue for a new crop of leaders, arguing that although many competent Nigerians are willing and able to confront the nation’s challenges, they are often discouraged by what he described as a costly and complex political structure driven by godfathers and repeated broken promises.
According to him, “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018, we contested the primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, with me as a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And, for God’s sake, in 2027 again.
“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party.
“There are good Nigerians capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, difficult and treacherous system filled with godfathers and broken promises.”
The Labour Party stalwart also rejected reports suggesting that he had declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election.
He explained that his recent comments were limited to restating his continued membership of the Labour Party and did not amount to a declaration of presidential ambition.
“I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed further stated that decisions regarding future electoral contests would depend on the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the position eventually taken by the party, urging Nigerians to disregard what he described as exaggerated and misleading narratives circulating on social media.
What you should know
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed remains a prominent voice within the Labour Party following the 2023 elections, where he ran alongside Peter Obi.
His remarks highlight growing debates within Nigeria’s political space about leadership renewal, generational change and long-standing political ambitions. By referencing Atiku Abubakar’s decades-long pursuit of the presidency, Baba-Ahmed is drawing attention to what he sees as the need for fresh leadership ideas and opportunities for younger politicians.
At the same time, he has been careful to distance himself from speculation about a 2027 presidential bid, insisting that any future decision must follow due process and party consensus.
