Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has expressed concerns over the growing presidential ambitions within the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to him, while the coalition is made up of influential political figures and has enormous potential, it lacks the unity and strategic planning needed to successfully challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview with Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed noted that the coalition comprises a wide array of political heavyweights. These include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Senate President David Mark, and several other prominent politicians.
He acknowledged that this array of leaders makes the coalition rich in resources and options. However, he also pointed out a significant challenge—almost everyone in the alliance has a personal presidential ambition.
“The coalition is full of people with presidential aspirations,” he observed. “Ambitions have to be reduced and carefully managed if the coalition is to survive and make a meaningful impact in Nigerian politics.”
Baba-Ahmed also drew a contrast between the ADC-led coalition and the APC under Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He stated that in 2007, Tinubu was able to suppress his own presidential ambition to support Atiku Abubakar, and again in 2015, he played a pivotal role in backing Muhammadu Buhari to secure victory for the party.
According to him, such selflessness and long-term strategic thinking seem to be missing in the current opposition alliance.
Furthermore, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that despite the popularity of some members of the coalition, he has not seen a clear and workable strategy from the leadership that can effectively challenge and defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
“This is not a criticism,” he clarified, “but a candid observation. If you approach Tinubu’s government with business-as-usual politics, you will not win.”
He stressed the importance of innovation in politics, stating, “To achieve what seems impossible, you need an equally unconventional and impossible strategy.”
On the matter of fielding Atiku Abubakar again as the coalition’s candidate, Baba-Ahmed issued a strong warning. He argued that the ruling APC already understands how to counter Atiku’s political style, making it easier for them to defeat him.
“If you bring Atiku, they already know how to neutralize his chances,” he said. “Of course, if he wins, we will support him. But if the goal is to win, the coalition needs to present a candidate the APC cannot predict or easily target.”
Drawing from history, he advised the coalition to take a cue from the APC’s strategy in 2015, when they presented Muhammadu Buhari, a candidate who resonated with the public mood and aspirations of the time.
“The ADC must identify and support a fresh, unanticipated candidate—one who cannot be easily understood or targeted by the ruling party.”
Baba-Ahmed urged the coalition to set aside personal ambitions and embrace a collective strategy that prioritizes winning over individual interests. He believes that only then can the opposition mount a serious and credible challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections.