Manny Ita
Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027 during a press briefing at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This announcement confirms a formal split between the two leaders of the former Obidient movement, following Peter Obi’s recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025.
In his address to supporters and journalists, Baba-Ahmed emphasized his commitment to his current political platform, stating I will not dump the Labour Party as Obi did. He clarified that his decision to run was independent of his former principal’s movements, noting that he is not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes but is pursuing a goal he has held since participating in previous presidential primaries. He further stated that while he had welcomed Obi as a credible candidate in 2023, the former governor is now free to pursue his aspirations elsewhere with or without him.
The Labour Party leadership has reacted to the fracture by describing the exit of Peter Obi and several South-East political figures as a relief, claiming the party is finally liberated from the external pressures that dominated the 2023 cycle. National Chairman Julius Abure expressed support for internal aspirants who remain loyal to the party’s structure, signaling a transition toward a post-Obi era. Meanwhile, Obi’s new platform, the ADC, has reportedly begun forming an opposition coalition that includes figures like former Senate President David Mark and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
As the political landscape realigns for the 2027 general elections, Baba-Ahmed addressed questions regarding the viability of a divided opposition, maintaining that the Nigerian constitution guarantees his right to seek the highest office regardless of ethnic or religious background. He affirmed his identity as a practicing Muslim while calling for a focus on governance over identity politics. The court of public opinion remains divided on whether this split strengthens the opposition or hands an advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
