Breaking: Peter Obi’s Ex-running Mate, Baba-Ahmed, Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition
- Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed has announced his bid for the 2027 presidential election
- Baba-Ahmed's declaration followed Peter Obi's defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- He asserted his prior presidential aspiration before Obi's candidacy in the 2023 election
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - The 2023 Labour Party’s vice presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, has declared his interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed’s announcement comes barely one week after Peter Obi announced his departure from the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu state.
Source: Twitter
As reported by The Punch, Baba-Ahmed made the declaration on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at a rally held at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He was the running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Baba-Ahmed vowed to adhere strictly to the party and electoral guidelines after he made his intention known ahead of the 2027 election.
“I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes.
“Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see.”
The former federal lawmaker recalled that he contested in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries years before aligning with Obi in the Labour Party in the 2023 election.
“In October 2018, I participated in the primaries of the then PDP in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was.
“If you heard me well in what I just submitted, I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023. And that is why I decided to flow with it.”
According to Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed said he won’t follow Obi’s path in dumping the Labour Party for the ADC.
The 56-year-old said he is not convinced by the ADC, describing members of the coalition as ‘disgruntled politicians.”
Tinubu’s aide batters Peter Obi for joining ADC
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's aide, Bayo Onanuga, has played down Peter Obi's political strength, describing him as a politician who lacks the leadership pedigree to govern Nigeria.
Obi formally joined the ADC on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in Enugu state, along with several of his supporters, including some prominent public figures.
The move is widely seen as a major boost for the ADC, a relatively marginal party now repositioning itself as the platform for a united opposition.
Source: Twitter
“How Obi’s defection to ADC will affect Tinubu, Atiku
Legit.ng earlier reported that Obi's defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) generated a lot of reactions across the country.
The coordinator of Citizens Coalition, Kelly Agaba, explained the impact of Obi's defection to the ADC on Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi dumped the Labour Party for the ADC on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
