The 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has stated that Peter Obi is at liberty to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the party, whether or not he returns as his running mate.
Speaking during a Channels Television programme, The Morning Brief, on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said he has no reservations about Obi seeking the party’s ticket again.
“The Labour Party welcomes Peter Obi to contest again in 2027, with or without me. He is free to seek the ticket. The ADC is also welcome to adopt a southern candidate,” he said.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed stressed that Nigeria’s priority should be competent leadership rather than zoning or personality politics.
“We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria—leaders who matter and deliver on their promises, not those who offer governance and deliver disaster,” he added.
He also dismissed claims that Obi’s participation in coalition meetings with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amounted to anti-party activity.
“This is not anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation. A coalition means political parties and interest groups are coming together for a shared purpose. I’ve also attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is welcome to continue doing so,” he clarified.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed, a former senator, maintained that the South should produce Nigeria’s next president in 2027, in the interest of fairness and national balance.
In the last general election, Obi and Baba-Ahmed ran together on the Labour Party ticket, finishing third behind President Bola Tinubu.
