Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says Peter Obi is free to contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s platform, with or without him as running mate.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said “Peter Obi is welcome to seek the Labour Party ticket again, with or without me. I have tremendous respect for him, and the party remains open to his candidacy. The ADC is also free to adopt a southern candidate.”
He stressed the need for capable and compassionate leadership: “We want leaders who deliver, not those who promise governance and bring disaster.”
Addressing Obi’s involvement in a new coalition supported by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Baba-Ahmed dismissed concerns of anti-party activity, calling it “an unfolding situation” involving political parties and interest groups working together.
“This is not anti-party. I’ve attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is also welcome to continue participating.”
On zoning, he backed a southern presidency in 2027.
Obi, who led the Labour Party in 2023, is a key figure in the emerging opposition coalition, which recently adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027. Other prominent members include former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola.
The ADC has appointed former Senate President David Mark as interim chairman and Aregbesola as interim national secretary.
While the coalition believes it can unseat the APC, the ruling party insists any alliance against President Tinubu is bound to fail.
