Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has said that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, is free to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, with or without him as a running mate.
Speaking on The Morning Brief programme aired on Channels Television on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed stated that he remains fully supportive of Obi and his political aspirations.
“They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly,” he said.
“The Labour Party welcomes him to still come and retain the Labour Party ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate.”
He stressed that Nigeria needs a competent and compassionate leader, not one who makes empty promises and delivers poor governance.
“We want capacity. We want compassion. We want people who will develop Nigeria — leaders that matter, leaders that deliver promises, not those who will promise governance and deliver disaster,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also addressed concerns over Peter Obi’s relationship with a coalition that includes the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move not as an act of disloyalty but as part of a broader, evolving political strategy.
“This is not an anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation,” he said. “The meaning of a coalition is that political parties, interest groups, and individuals are coming together. It’s an unfolding situation.”
Baba-Ahmed said he had attended several coalition meetings himself and encouraged Obi to continue doing the same.
On the issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 elections, he expressed his support for a southern presidency.
“I believe the South should produce the president in 2027,” he concluded.