Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to present a fresh, unpredictable presidential candidate that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would find difficult to defeat in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed expressed strong reservations about the possible emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the coalition’s standard-bearer, warning that such a move would hand an advantage to the APC.
“If Atiku emerges, they know his political moves, and they know how to work against him,” he said. “We need a candidate they can’t predict, someone they don’t know how to fight. That’s the only way to win.”
Baba-Ahmed stressed the need for strategic thinking and innovation, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s political mastery and patience over 16 years helped him secure the presidency in 2023.
“Tinubu is powerful. He schemed and waited for 16 years to achieve his ambition. I don’t see anyone in the coalition who is ready to make that level of sacrifice or long-term plan,” he stated.
He further highlighted how Tinubu’s decision to step aside for Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was a tactical sacrifice that ultimately worked in his favor.
"Obi Should Not Be a Running Mate Again"
In a separate interview, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his loyalty to Peter Obi, asserting that the former Anambra governor should not be relegated to a vice-presidential slot after securing over 10 million votes in the last election.
“Peter Obi should not be a VP again after securing over 10 million votes. That position is significant, and Obi has proven himself,” Baba-Ahmed declared.
He also challenged the widely held belief that only a united opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027.
“People say you need a coalition to defeat Tinubu, but in 2023, the Labour Party, without any coalition, defeated APC and PDP in several areas,” he argued.
ADC Coalition Faces Internal Struggles
The ADC coalition, which now includes major political players such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai, has been locked in internal wrangling over who should fly the presidential flag in 2027. The growing tension reflects deep ideological and personal divides within the alliance.
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks are expected to intensify the ongoing debate within the coalition and may influence the strategic direction of opposition forces seeking to unseat the APC in the next election cycle.
