Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to present a presidential candidate for the 2027 elections who cannot be easily outmaneuvered by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Baba-Ahmed shared his views in an interview with Trust TV, expressing skepticism about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances if he contests under the ADC platform.
He argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has already developed effective strategies to counter Atiku, having defeated him in the last two presidential elections.“If Atiku emerges, they already know his political playbook and how to neutralize him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“We need a candidate who’s unpredictable—someone they can’t easily strategize against. That’s the only path to victory.
”The Kaduna-born politician emphasized the need for the opposition to fully grasp the political influence of President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as highly strategic.
“Tinubu is a powerful figure. He spent 16 years patiently planning and scheming to realize his ambition. I don’t see anyone in the current coalition willing to make that kind of sacrifice or long-term commitment,” he stated.
He also noted that Tinubu’s decision to step aside for Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was a calculated move that eventually paved the way for his own rise to the presidency in 2023.
In a separate interview, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his support for Peter Obi, asserting that Obi should not accept a vice-presidential slot after his performance in the 2023 elections.“Peter Obi should not return as a VP candidate after securing over 10 million votes. That role is too limited—he has already proven his capability,” he maintained.
He also pushed back against the narrative that only a coalition can defeat the ruling APC, citing the Labour Party’s performance in the 2023 elections as evidence to the contrary.
“People say a coalition is necessary to defeat Tinubu, but in 2023, the Labour Party without any alliance defeated both APC and PDP in several key areas,” he noted.
The ADC-led coalition, which features prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, is currently facing internal tensions and power struggles over who should emerge as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
