January 7, 2026 l Dalena Reporter
ABUJA — Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s (LP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, positioning himself as a contender amid shifting opposition dynamics following the departure of his former running mate, Peter Obi. Baba-Ahmed made the announcement on Wednesday at a rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in the federal capital, underscoring that his presidential aspiration predates Obi’s own political journey.
Addressing supporters, Baba-Ahmed said his decision to run for the nation’s highest office is rooted in a long-standing desire to serve and is not a reaction to Obi’s recent defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes,” he told party members, asserting that he first pursued the presidency while in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to aligning with Obi in 2023.
Baba-Ahmed recounted his earlier ambitions, noting that in October 2018 he participated in PDP presidential primaries in Port Harcourt before choosing to serve as Obi’s running mate. He said his decision then was driven by a belief that Obi’s candidacy offered a rare opportunity for national unity, but that his own political objectives remained intact.
Addressing potential concerns about religion and ethnicity, Baba-Ahmed reminded supporters that Nigeria’s constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office, regardless of faith or ethnic background. A practising Muslim from the Hausa ethnic group, he insisted his candidature reflects a commitment to national service and broad inclusivity.
The declaration comes against the backdrop of ongoing realignments within the Nigerian opposition, particularly following Obi’s move to the ADC, which has created fresh debate over the future direction of the Labour Party and its role as a counterweight to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 polls.
Baba-Ahmed also said he will adhere strictly to due process, waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable and official calls for aspirants from the Labour Party before formally launching his campaign activities. The party’s current leadership, including National Chairman Julius Abure, has praised him for remaining within the Labour Party amid speculation of defections, signalling a desire to present a unified front at the grassroots level.
As Nigeria moves toward the next general election cycle, Baba-Ahmed’s early entry into the presidential field marks a significant development in opposition politics, laying early claim to leadership at a moment of shifting alliances and renewed contestation for Nigeria’s top political office.