Former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed reports that he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency, while also reaffirming that Peter Obi remains welcome in the party should he fail to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Baba-Ahmed spoke on Friday during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he said his recent comments had been widely misinterpreted.
“I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” he said, stressing that his remarks were limited to reaffirming his continued membership of the Labour Party amid ongoing political realignments and discussions ahead of the 2027 general election.
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According to him, while political possibilities may exist in the future, no decision or announcement has been made at this time. He noted that any declaration would depend on the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the internal processes of the party.
“The submission I made was that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest. I did not declare,” he said.
Obi is Welcome To LP if Denied ADC Ticket
Baba-Ahmed also addressed questions around Peter Obi’s political future, saying the former Anambra State governor would be welcomed back to the Labour Party if he does not emerge as the ADC’s presidential candidate.
“I also said if Peter Obi does not get the ticket there in ADC, he is more than welcome back to the Labour Party,” he said. “I will stand there, and nobody will do anything bad to Peter Obi. It is better for him to come back than for him to do another type of agenda.”
He added that it would be preferable for Obi to return to the platform on which they jointly contested the 2023 presidential election rather than pursue a different political arrangement.
The comments follow Obi’s reported move into the ADC coalition, nearly three years after both men ran on a joint ticket under the Labour Party. Despite the developments, Baba-Ahmed said he remains proud of what he and Obi achieved together during the last election.
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He also criticised the role of social media in spreading misinformation, urging professional media organisations to ensure accuracy in political reporting.
“It is unfortunate that social media can be so sensational, putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners. I believe formal media should serve as filters and barriers so that the general public can always consume the correct information,” he said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
