Datti Baba-Ahmed Speaks on the Durability of Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed doubts about the longevity of the opposition coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s government in the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed highlighted the coalition’s key players — Peter Obi, Chibuike Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and Nasir El-Rufai — all frontrunners with competing ambitions, raising questions about the coalition’s unity.

He said, “Despite the excitement around the coalition, we should not be swept away by it. These leaders come from diverse backgrounds with varied interests. They are very close in the race. What will happen after the primaries? If one wins, will the others remain in the coalition?”

Drawing an analogy with former President Buhari’s distant outlier status in 2015, Baba-Ahmed suggested this contest would be more intense and could strain the coalition.

The coalition, led by prominent political figures including former governors Amaechi, El-Rufai, Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Senate President David Mark, has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to contest the 2027 presidential election.