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Tag: Baba-Ahmed

  • Atiku has been contesting presidency since my NYSC days—Baba-Ahmed

    Atiku has been contesting presidency since my NYSC days—Baba-Ahmed

    • APC debunks ex-chair Adamu’s alleged movement to ADC
    • Bauchi PDP says Bala Mohammed still with party
    • LP faction to INEC: Accord Usman recognition; wishes Obi well in ADC
    • Dickson: I’m still in PDP but keenly monitoring developments

    Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 elections, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed shock that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  is still seeking Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.

     Datti  recalled that Atiku has been seeking to occupy the highest  office in the land since his (Datti)  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days.

     Baba-Ahmed made the remark yesterday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

    He noted  that the country  needs a new generation of leaders, adding  that many capable citizens are willing to address the country’s challenges but are discouraged by what he described as an expensive and difficult political system dominated by godfathers and unfulfilled promises.

    According to him, “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018, we contested the primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, with me as a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And, for God’s sake, in 2027 again.

    “There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party.

    “There are good Nigerians capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, difficult and treacherous system filled with godfathers and broken promises.”

     The Labour Party chieftain also dismissed claims that he had declared interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.

     He clarified that he only reaffirmed his membership of the Labour Party and did not announce any presidential ambition.

     “I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party,” he said.

    Baba-Ahmed added that decisions on future elections would depend on the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the position of the party, urging the public to ignore what he described as sensational narratives circulating on social media.

    Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress, APC has denied viral online reports  that its former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu has defected to the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

     The report, circulated online on Thursday, claimed that Adamu’s alleged defection was “neither sudden nor accidental, but the culmination of months of deepening rifts, quiet consultations, and growing dissatisfaction with the internal direction of the APC at both national and state levels. As a founding pillar of the ruling party and one of its most influential power brokers since 2015, Adamu’s exit would represent a symbolic and strategic blow to the APC’s cohesion.” 

    Debunking the rumour yesterday, the APC in Nasarawa State said Adamu  is still a committed member of the party.

     A statement signed by the party’s state organizing secretary and coordinator of the APC e-membership registration exercise, Barr Hassan Abubakar, a copy made available to our correspondent yesterday in Lafia, described the rumour as unfounded and mischievous.

    The statement reads: “We state categorically and without any ambiguity that this claim is false, malicious, and deliberately concocted to mislead the public and sow seeds of confusion within the APC family.

     “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator (Dr) Abdullahi Adamu, CON remains a steadfast, committed and card-carrying member of the APC. At no time did he defect, contemplate defection, or associate himself with any other political party.

     “The photograph being mischievously circulated online was taken during the ongoing APC e-membership registration and revalidation exercise, a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening the party’s database and consolidating internal democracy.

    “The said image clearly captures Senator Adamu revalidating his APC membership, in full alignment with the party’s constitutional processes and reform agenda.

    “It is therefore irresponsible, intellectually dishonest and politically desperate for faceless individuals and their sponsors to twist a legitimate party activity into a false narrative of defection. Such acts amount to deliberate misinformation and an affront to political decency.

     “Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s pedigree, sacrifices, and towering contributions to the growth and stability of the APC are well documented and need no validation from purveyors of fake news. His loyalty to the APC is unquestionable, unshaken, and unwavering.

     “We call on party members, the media, and the general public to disregard this falsehood in its entirety” the statement added

     Adamu, had in a newspaper report dismissed his rumoured defection to the APC as false and a social media attempt to attract attention, saying “I am not an ungrateful politician.”

     “Don’t mind the social media reporter. They want to draw me out, but I have nothing to tell anybody. I am not an ungrateful politician. I served at the highest level of my party, and I am where I am today,” the former APC chair was quoted to have said.

    A similar report about Bauchi State governor, Bala  Mohammed planning to defect to the ADC has also been debunked by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. 

     The state PDP Chairman, Hon. Sama’ila Adamu Burga, described the defection claims as fake, baseless and politically motivated in a statement issued yesterday.

    He urged the public to ignore the misinformation being shared on social media.

    Burga said the rumour was already addressed at a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 4, 2026, where party leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP and passed a vote of confidence on the governor.

    The meeting was attended by top PDP officials, members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, State Executive Council, local government chairmen, party executives, serving lawmakers, and other political stakeholders.

    Read Also: Showunmi to Atiku, Obi: EFCC probes not a threat to democracy

    According to Burga, stakeholders commended Governor Mohammed for his leadership and commitment to good governance as governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

    He added that despite media attacks and political pressure, the governor remains committed to defending democratic values, fairness and constitutional order.

     Burga noted that Governor Mohammed expressed gratitude for the support and reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, promising to continue promoting peace and development in Bauchi State and Nigeria.

     He stressed that the governor has never discussed plans to defect to the ADC, APC or any other party, and that major political decisions in the PDP are taken collectively and through consultation.

    Burga concluded that Governor Bala Mohammed remains a loyal and principled leader of the PDP adding that the party is open to dialogue with others, but not on the basis of rumours or misinformation.

    LP faction to INEC: Accord Usman, Nwokocha recognition

      The Labour Party faction led by its interim chairman, Nenadi Usman has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to affirm  Senators Usman and Darlington Nwokocha as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively of the party.

     The party in a communiqué after its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, said this would be in compliance with the rule of law and the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court judgement referenced by the commission.

     The communiqué, which was signed by Senator Nwokocha, said the NWC unanimously adopted Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, as the National Leader of the Labour Party.

    It wished its former presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, who left the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) well in his future political endeavours and in his new political party.

     The communiqué reads: “The NWC reaffirmed that the Labour Party remains united, indivisible, indissoluble and steadfast in its mission to build a Nigeria founded on equal opportunity, social justice, and good governance.

    “Accordingly, as the party continues to monitor political developments across the country, the Labour Party remains a strong and viable political force and shall continue to operate as an independent, ideologically driven political organisation.”

    The party noted the recent expressions of interest by certain individuals to contest elective positions under its platform, stating that “this growing interest reflects the increasing confidence Nigerians have in the party.”

     It maintained that the congresses and the National Convention will still hold as scheduled and urged members at all levels to actively participate in the congress processes.

    “The Labour Party leadership remains committed to ensuring credible, transparent, and inclusive congresses,” the communiqué added.

      I am still in  PDP— Senator Dickson

    Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has dismissed as false reports circulating in sections of the media alleging that he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    In a statement issued yesterday  by his media aide, Ajiri Daniels, Senator Dickson categorically stated that he remains a committed member of the PDP and has not decamped to any other political party.

    The Senator explained that he is presently in mourning following the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. He noted that, as a mark of respect, he has since stepped back from political activities during this period of mourning and has been busy receiving condolence visits from friends, political leaders, allies and well wishers all over the country.

    These visitors cut across political leaders from different political parties and persons from all spheres of life.

    While noting that he is keenly following developments in the political space, Senator Dickson assured that after the burial, he will consult widely with friends and political allies across the country before taking any decision, which will be formally announced. But in the meantime he still remains a key leader in the PDP, hoping that the party will get its act right in view of its legacy contribution to Nigerian politics.

    He urged members of the public, party faithful, and supporters to discountenance the report, describing it as fake news and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, and advised them to rely only on information from his verified communication channels.

  • 2027: Obi’s former running mate, Baba-Ahmed, declares presidential ambition

    2027: Obi’s former running mate, Baba-Ahmed, declares presidential ambition

    The Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday formally declared his interest in contesting the presidency in 2027.

    He also reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party (LP) amid ongoing political realignments.

    Baba-Ahmed, 56, was the running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the declaration at a rally held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    His announcement comes barely one week after Obi announced his exit from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    This move has triggered intense debate over the party’s future and the direction of the wider opposition ahead of the next general election.

    However, speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not follow Obi to the ADC.

    He said, “I have made myself to contest for the office in 2027. I’m not following anybody’s trajectory or stepping into anybody’s shoes.

    “Can I please remind you that before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi filed for the presidency, I aspired for the presidency before him? The records are there for you to see.”

    The former lawmaker recalled his earlier attempt to secure his party’s presidential ticket, noting that he had contested in the Peoples Democratic Party primaries years before aligning with Obi in the Labour Party.

    “In October 2018, I participated in the primaries of the then PDP in Port Harcourt and walked to Obi for his vote, and he smiled at me. What a gentleman he was.

    “If you heard me well in what I just submitted, I saw a rare opportunity for national unity to have elected Peter Obi in 2023. And that is why I decided to flow with it,” he said.

    “Yes, I am a practising Muslim. But I’m a Nigerian, and the constitution allows me to contest. You asked about my ethnicity. Yes, I am a Hausa man, and the Nigerian constitution also allows me to contest. I’m doing this because Nigeria needs help,” he said.

    However, Baba-Ahmed noted that while he had made his intention known, he would adhere strictly to party and electoral guidelines.

    “However, as a law-abiding citizen and a loyal party member, until the timetable is released by INEC and the leadership of the Labour Party calls for interested aspirants, I will not say anything about it. But remember I told you that Nigerians know the truth,” he stated.

    Reacting, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, commended Baba-Ahmed for remaining in the party despite speculations that he might defect following Obi’s exit.

    Abure said the development demonstrated that the Labour Party remained intact, adding that several key figures, including the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, had also chosen to stay back.

    He said, “Only recently, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, told the world that he joined the party before Peter Obi did – this is true. Otti also said he was not going to defect to Peter Obi.

    “On the night Peter Obi defected, I received a telephone call from our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed. He said he is not leaving the party because it was the platform upon which he, along with the former candidate, received 10 million votes from Nigerians, which was reduced to 6 million votes. We all know what happened.”

    Read Also: LP crisis: INEC, Baba-Ahmed present as Abure hosts NEC meeting

    Abure further disclosed that Baba-Ahmed personally suggested a meeting of party leaders and members to reaffirm unity within the party.

    “In fact, he asked me to organise an event where members can come together. He first suggested that we meet at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel with a few senior members that he would foot the bill.

    “But I suggested that we hold the event here at the party Secretariat and invite our members, artisans, and ordinary people who truly own the party, and he agreed. That is why we are having this gathering here today.

    “The Labour Party is intact, we will not let Nigerians down. We will remain together and provide a genuine alternative for Nigerians,” he said.

    Baba-Ahmed’s declaration has added a fresh dimension to the emerging 2027 presidential contest, as parties begin early positioning amid shifting alliances within the opposition.

  • ADA coalition uninspiring, self-serving, says Baba-Ahmed

    ADA coalition uninspiring, self-serving, says Baba-Ahmed

    • ‘It will give Tinubu smooth sail in 2027’

    A former presidential adviser, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said the newly formed All Democratic Coalition (ADA) lacks the capacity and inspiration to upset President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027.

    Baba-Ahmed noted that the ADA also lacks the vision and credibility to present a real challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In an interview yesterday on a national television programme, Baba-Ahmed described ADA as uninspiring and self-serving. According to him, the coalition is being led by political actors who are not fundamentally different from those in the APC and are unwilling to think innovatively to offer a genuine alternative to Nigerians.

     “The people who are leading the attempts to create an alternative to APC, I’m not sure that they’re any better than APC itself. That is the big disappointment,” Baba-Ahmed said. “They’re not willing to think outside the box and create a real, genuine alternative. What they are doing is simply handing over 2027 to President Tinubu.”

    Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as a senior political aide in the current administration, distanced himself from ADA.

    The former presidential aide said he was not privy to the formation of the new opposition coalition.

    According to him, he will be watching the unfolding political developments with “a lot of worry”.

    Read Also: FG reports N6.9tn revenue in first four months of 2025

    Baba-Ahmed noted that the opportunity to build a credible opposition was being squandered by some politicians who insist on remaining at the forefront of events.

    “It’s a coalition of a few politicians who hope they can arrive at some understanding and then say, ‘Okay, fellow Nigerians, we’ve agreed. This one will be this and that one will be that.’ It’s the wrong way about it,” he said.

    The former presidential aide argued that many of the faces behind the ADA are recycled politicians, including a former vice president, governors, and ministers who the public no longer trusts to drive national transformation.

    What Nigeria needs, he insisted, is not just a change of faces but a generational and ideological overhaul.

    “They don’t have faith that you represent a future, a different future from this government. You just want to replace President Tinubu,” Baba-Ahmed added.

    He also raised concerns about the legal and procedural obstacles to forming a new political party ahead of 2027.

    According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not approved any new political party in years and is currently overwhelmed with a backlog of applications.

    “Unless a miracle happens, they forgot there are huge numbers of applications before INEC, and INEC hasn’t registered any party for a long time,” he said, suggesting that the chances of forming a credible and inclusive new party before the next election cycle are slim.

  • 2027: Baba-Ahmed, Buba Galadima can’t stop Tinubu, says Illiyasu Kwankwaso

    2027: Baba-Ahmed, Buba Galadima can’t stop Tinubu, says Illiyasu Kwankwaso

    Executive Director of Finance, the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, on Tuesday said that Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Buba Galadima lack capacity to stop President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

    Baba-Ahmed, a member of the Arewa Consultative Forum and a former Political Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Engr. Buba Galadima, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have been criticising Tinubu’s policies of recent.

    In his reaction to the criticisms, Kwankwaso said the two men do not have the moral rectitude to discredit the Tinubu administration, urging Nigerians not to take them serious.

    “Hakeem Baba-Ahmed recently accepted appointment in the government of Tinubu thinking it was business as usual, where political appointees had field days in office.

    “When he saw it was a different government, he realiased he wasn’t fit there; he ran away. Today Hakeem Baba-Ahmed cannot tell why he accepted the job and why he resigned.

    “Now he finds comfort in instigating people against the same government he once served. He should come out clean and tell Northerners the truth about his actions.

    Baba-Ahmed, in a viral video, had warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.

    He also said the country will suffer consequences if the 2027 poll results are tampered with.

    However, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso on Tuesday accused Baba-Ahmed of being among those who allegedly cheated the North.

    Read Also: Tinubu mourns Benue killings, vows to end violence

    He said the duo had enjoyed long service in government but have nothing to show as part of their contributions to the northern region.

    Kwankwaso said Buba Galadima can not boast of winning a poling unit y

    “All his years with General Buhari what did he contribute to the ex-president? instead, Buhari was able to win his elections when the likes of Galadima departed him.

    “But Bola Tinubu on the other hand, in less than two years of his government, has brought serious developments to the North; look at the Kano to Abuja road; look at Badagary to Kebbi Road network. These are jobs that have since gone far and nearing completion.

    “There is no gainsaying that the prices of food and other essential commodities are going down and Nigerians are having the affordability to buy, but Buba Galadima and Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who are blind critics will not comment on these.

    “Let me assure Baba-Ahmed and Buba Galadima that Tinubu will win his second term in office with the North inclusive, because Nigerians are appreciative of the president’s transformative agenda,” Kwankwaso said.

  • LP’s faction lashes Baba-Ahmed on statement over Tinubu’s presidency

    LP’s faction lashes Baba-Ahmed on statement over Tinubu’s presidency

    A faction of the Labour Party has condemned a statement by its former vice presidential candidate, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, who said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is ‘questionably constitutional’.

    The Labour Party views the comment as undemocratic, dissociating itself from any surreptitious action capable of inciting Nigerians against the present government.

    In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Dr. Arabambi Abayomi,  the Labour Party said it approached the 2023 general election with all determination to make a difference in the way Nigeria is run and sponsored candidates it believed at the time had the capacity to win elections for the party. 

    However, the result of that Presidential election declared didn’t go its way and the party challenged the result up to the Supreme Court and lost. 

    “For the interest and peace of the nation, the Labour Party accepted the judgement of the Supreme Court, not because we were pleased but because of the FINALITY of the Supreme Court’s judgement. The party has since moved on. 

    “But the party was astonished while speaking at the illegal and unconstitutional meeting called by Governor Otti and Peter Obi, on Wednesday 9th April 2025, at Transcorp Hotel Abuja as Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed still referred the product of the 2023 presidential election as ‘Questionably constitutional’ even with the legitimacy conferred on the Tinubu government by the Supreme court.

    “Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed also said in an interview with a national television; “The appointments they are making are fake, the appointments they are making are illegal. The paraphernalia of government they are enjoying, destroying our country, spending our money is only for a little time.” Still questioning the presidency of President Tinubu’s legitimacy.

    “For us in the Labour Party, this statement is clearly inciting and a call for mass action against a constituted authority. We think there should be a limit to whipping up the public sentiments against a legitimate government. 

    “The Arab Spring that rattled the entire Middle East started when the Arab leaders paid no attention to Bouazizi’s subtle but persistent galvanisation of the youths against their governments leading into the mass demonstrations, revolts, and revolutions that almost consumed the region. 

    “Recall that Baba-Ahmed while refusing to concede victory in the 2023 presidential election also alleged that the Tinubu government harboured a grand scheme to dismember Nigeria into six possibly autonomous zones and that the administration has thrown Nigerians into untold hardship, all in efforts to weep up sentiments against the government.

    “Nigeria is presently passing through a dangerous and precarious phase and it is expected that every well meaning Nigerian should realize the fragility of the nation, put politics aside and help to move the nation out of the woods. 

    Read Also: Group faults Baba-Ahmed over resignation

    “The leadership of Labour Party wishes to state clearly, that it is within the right of every Nigerian to hold the government accountable for its inability to live up to the expectation. However, statements that are inciting and capable of plunging the nation into unwarranted combustion, particularly by the political class, must be avoided.

    “The Labour Party under the able leadership of Barr. Julius Abure therefore wishes to completely dissociate itself from the unfortunate and reprehensible comments by its former vice presidential candidate. 

    “Similarly, the party also viewed the comment by the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti of a possible ‘dooms day’ awaiting the Barr. Julius Abure’s led leadership as a direct threat to the lives of the party executive members.

    “As if Labour Party is his personal company, Governor Otti at the illegal meeting on Wednesday 9th April, 2025 boasted that Abure refused an offer of the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the party and that he was ready to ‘fumigate Abure and his team out of office’. He also threatened that the ‘dooms day’ is imminent. The party is therefore warning that no harm should befall any of the party’s leaders as a result of the imminent doom that the governor has threatened. 

    “This threat is coming a few days after a similar threat by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajero to mobilise arms men to ‘flush’ the leadership out of our offices across the nation. We believe that these threats are not coincidental in any way as it is a known fact that NLC’s rascality is equally being funded by the Abia State government. We are therefore by this statement notifying Nigerians, particularly the National Security Adviser (NSA) to come to our aid as our lives are clearly in danger and we no longer feel safe. 

    “We call on all the security agencies including the Police and state security agencies to beef up security around our leaders. We have committed no offence except that we insist on the rule of law and the respect for the party supremacy as ordered recently by the Supreme court. The party also warns that the Abia State governor should be held responsible should anything untoward happen to any of our leaders.”