Labour Party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed, says he is shocked that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is still seeking the presidency in 2027. He recalled that Atiku has been pursuing the nation’s top job since his own National Youth Service Corps days and has already contested several times without success.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Baba Ahmed argued that Nigeria urgently needs a new generation of leaders. He said many capable Nigerians are ready to address the country’s problems but are discouraged by an expensive, difficult political system dominated by godfathers and broken promises.
He stressed that his comments were not a declaration for the 2027 presidential race. Baba Ahmed explained that he only reaffirmed his membership of the Labour Party and did not announce any ambition, adding that future decisions will depend on INEC’s timetable and his party’s position.
Baba Ahmed also urged Nigerians to ignore sensational stories on social media suggesting that he has already joined the race. He described such reports as misrepresentations that distract from his broader call for political renewal and generational change.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa State has denied reports that its former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has defected to the African Democratic Congress ahead of 2027. In a statement, the party said Adamu remains a loyal, card carrying member of the APC and condemned the defection story as false, malicious and aimed at causing confusion.
The Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State has also dismissed rumours that Governor Bala Mohammed plans to leave the party for the ADC. State chairman Sama’ila Adamu Burga said party leaders recently passed a vote of confidence on the governor at a stakeholders’ meeting and reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP.
Within the Labour Party, a faction led by interim chairman Nenadi Usman has asked INEC to recognise Senators Usman and Darlington Nwokocha as National Chairman and National Secretary in line with a 2025 Supreme Court judgement. The group’s communiqué also adopted Abia State governor Alex Otti as National Leader of the party and wished former presidential candidate Peter Obi well following his move to the ADC.
Former Bayelsa governor and senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has likewise denied reports that he has defected from the PDP to the ADC. Through his media aide, he said he remains a key PDP leader, is currently in mourning over the death of Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and will only take future political decisions after wide consultations.
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