Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has acknowledged the political strength President Bola Tinubu has built ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed made the assessment during an interview with Trust TV, where he discussed Tinubu’s political strategy and the prospects of the opposition ahead of the next general election.
Although Baba-Ahmed said he disagrees with some of Tinubu’s policies, he acknowledged the president’s long-term political organisation and the alliances he built over the years.
“Even though I don’t entirely agree with him, he did what others were not able to do. He organised for 16 years, not just plan,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He argued that Tinubu’s political network could give him considerable influence over the 2027 election, particularly if opposition parties struggle to develop a united front.
Baba-Ahmed further claimed that Tinubu could work to prevent opposition parties from successfully coming together, alleging that the president has enough political influence to affect developments within opposition groups.
“He will not allow them to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also gave a blunt assessment of Tinubu’s chances of securing another term, suggesting that the president’s political machinery makes his re-election highly difficult to stop.
“If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he says to be declared in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it.”
Asked whether the comments amounted to praise or criticism of the president, Baba-Ahmed said he was offering his assessment of the country’s political reality rather than endorsing Tinubu.
Baba-Ahmed was Peter Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, which was won by Tinubu. Obi and the Labour Party challenged the election result in court, but the Supreme Court ultimately upheld Tinubu’s victory.
His comments come as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition politicians and parties exploring possible alliances aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Baba-Ahmed’s claims about Tinubu influencing the leadership or candidates of opposition parties remain his political assessment and were not accompanied by evidence in the interview excerpt provided.
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