Datti Baba Ahmed Breaks Ranks: ‘Obi Can Run in 2027 With or Without Me’

Datti Baba Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has reignited the 2027 political discourse with a bombshell revelation: “I would like Peter Obi to win the nomination of LP and contest in 2027, with or without me.” This declaration came amidst rumors of defection and realignment talks involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), causing significant unease within Labour Party circles.

Datti Baba Ahmed’s statement reflects a subtle defiance: he is not abandoning LP yet, but neither is he offering blind allegiance. “My own thinking is that you should convince me why I should go to ADC; I’m yet to be convinced to leave LP,” he asserted. His tone signals that the cracks within LP’s leadership could widen, especially if the party hierarchy fails to address internal ideological misalignments.

Peter Obi in the Eye of the Storm: Leadership or Loneliness?

Datti Baba Ahmed’s preference for Obi as LP’s 2027 flagbearer appears rooted in consistency and ideology. “I would like Peter Obi to win,” he said, making it clear that his political compass still aligns with the former Anambra governor’s vision. But the phrase “with or without me” is a red flag—suggesting that all may not be well between the once-unshakable duo.

While Obi continues to campaign on the “structureless but popular” mantra, Datti’s recent posture could be interpreted as both a challenge and a caution. If internal frictions are not doused, the LP might face what plagued PDP and APC—desertions driven by ego rather than ideology. The question now is: can Obi maintain unity while chasing the presidency again?

Labour Party’s Fractured Future: The ADC Option Looms Large

Datti Baba Ahmed’s mention of ADC wasn’t accidental—it was calculated. The African Democratic Congress, a relatively quieter party, has recently become a strategic fallback for politicians disillusioned with the big-ticket chaos in PDP and APC. Datti’s insistence that he “needs to be convinced” to leave LP is his way of saying ADC isn’t off the table—just not yet.

Political analysts believe that such indirect courting of ADC could serve two purposes: one, as leverage to press for reforms within LP; and two, as a preparatory exit plan if LP fails to meet expectations. If Datti jumps ship, it could trigger a domino effect—empowering fringe parties and destabilizing LP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Obi-Datti Unity in Question: Political Marriage on the Brink?

The 2023 elections painted Peter Obi and Datti Baba Ahmed as Nigeria’s most ideologically aligned duo. But today, Datti’s tone suggests a shift. “With or without me,” is a loaded phrase that could indicate disillusionment, marginalization, or simply a reality check about Nigeria’s unforgiving political landscape.

Their joint ticket inspired millions during the 2023 cycle, but in politics, alliances are as fragile as public sentiment. If Datti exits LP or publicly distances himself from Obi, it will fracture the support base that saw them clinch victories in key urban centers. The specter of political divorce hangs over a once-celebrated partnership.

Internal Turmoil: Is LP Learning Nothing from PDP’s Implosion?

Datti’ Baba Ahmed’s remarks have exposed the Labour Party’s Achilles’ heel: internal communication and vision alignment. His plea for “convincing” raises eyebrows. Why should a high-ranking stakeholder need to be persuaded not to leave? What does that say about party cohesion and strategic clarity?

These are signs of a party that risks repeating the implosion patterns of PDP—where ambition and factionalism overpowered strategy and structure. For LP to survive beyond its protest-vote momentum of 2023, it must consolidate ideological discipline and realign its power structures, or risk losing its hard-earned credibility.

2027 and the Third Force Mirage: Another Broken Promise?

Datti Baba Ahmed’s uncertainty about LP and flirtation with ADC reopens a haunting chapter in Nigeria’s political evolution—the mirage of a third force. Nigerians have yearned for a credible alternative, but the failure to build enduring alliances outside APC and PDP has crippled that dream.

If the Obi-Datti 2023 experiment collapses before 2027, it may deepen voter apathy and reinforce the idea that all political actors are the same. Datti Baba Ahmed ’s candid reflections could be a warning: unless Nigeria’s so-called third forces prioritize ideology over ego, 2027 might end up being a tragic rerun of recycled political disappointments.