In a significant political development, the 2023 Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has publicly explained the reasoning behind his choice to remain with the party following the high-profile departure of its presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi. His decision underscores a deepening strategic divide within the opposition landscape as the 2027 general elections loom.
A Stand of Principle and Preservation
Addressing a gathering of party faithful at the LP national headquarters in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed framed his loyalty as a matter of principle and responsibility, rather than blind allegiance to an individual. He revealed that on the very night Peter Obi announced his exit, he proactively reached out to the Labour Party leadership to affirm his commitment to stay.
"When Peter Obi left, there were pressures, expectations and assumptions that everyone would move," Baba-Ahmed stated. He emphasized that politics should revolve around platforms, values, and the trust of the electorate. For him, the LP represents the platform that garnered over six million votes (from an initial tally of over 10 million) in the 2023 presidential election, a mandate he believes belongs to the Nigerian people, not to any single politician.
His decision, shaped by internal consultations, was also driven by a desire to preserve the party's hard-won structure and the grassroots momentum that propelled it to national prominence. He warned that abrupt, mass defections could severely weaken the political voice of the ordinary Nigerians who rallied behind the Labour Party banner.
PDP's Outreach and Obidient Movement's Rebuff
In a parallel political maneuver, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has signalled its intention to court former members Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar. Emma Ogidi, the PDP Chairman for the South-South Zone, disclosed these plans during an interview on Channels Television's 'The Morning Brief'.
Ogidi criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as an "aberration" and positioned the PDP as the true face of Nigerian democracy, citing its consistent logo and vision. He outlined that the party's leadership, following the inauguration of its National Working Committee in Ibadan, is engaging with key national stakeholders, including former leaders, and plans to extend this outreach to Obi and Atiku.
However, this proposed courtship has been met with immediate skepticism from the Obidient Movement, the grassroots support base galvanized by Peter Obi's 2023 campaign. The Movement's National Coordinator, Tanko Yunusa, questioned the logic and credibility of the PDP's approach, pointing to the party's own internal crises and political wrangling. He firmly stated that a crisis-ridden PDP cannot successfully woo Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 polls.
The 2027 Chessboard Takes Shape
Baba-Ahmed's revelations carry implications beyond party loyalty. He explicitly hinted that his political future, including a potential presidential run in 2027, remains a active consideration. His stance effectively positions him as a central figure in determining the Labour Party's trajectory and its role in the next electoral cycle, whether as an independent force or in potential alliances.
The contrasting narratives—Baba-Ahmed's commitment to party structure versus the PDP's attempt to reclaim big-name defectors—highlight the strategic crossroads facing Nigeria's opposition. The coming months will reveal whether consolidation within existing parties or a reshuffling of political allegiances will define the challenge to the ruling APC.
