A former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that Atiku Abubakar had already started contesting to become Nigeria’s president while he served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television, reflecting on his long political journey alongside the former vice president. He recalled that he had also contested primaries against Atiku in 2018.
“In 2018, we contested primaries together. And in 2023, we faced off again. I was a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere while his vice president had left him,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain emphasised the urgent need for a generational shift in Nigeria’s political leadership, arguing that many capable Nigerians are ready to serve but are discouraged by the country’s political structure.
“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for credible leadership to guide them to a new path,” he said.
He also criticised the nation’s political system, describing it as expensive, difficult, and dominated by godfathers.
“There are good Nigerians capable of solving the country’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, treacherous system full of godfathers and empty promises,” Baba-Ahmed added.
Earlier reports suggesting that he had recently declared his intention to run for the presidency were dismissed by Baba-Ahmed as false.
He concluded by reiterating that many competent Nigerians are waiting for credible leadership to address the nation’s pressing challenges.
