Deborah Akinyosoye
The 2023 vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has said that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, is free to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, whether or not he returns as his running mate.
Baba-Ahmed stated this on Wednesday while speaking as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme.
“They are two key individuals that I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly.
“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The former senator said Nigeria needs leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and not deliver failure.
“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,” he stated.
Responding to concerns that Obi’s recent participation in coalition talks led by the African Democratic Congress amounted to anti-party activity, Baba-Ahmed said it was not the case.
“This is not an anti-party activity. It is an unfolding situation. The meaning of a coalition is that political parties, interest groups, and individuals are coming together. It’s an unfolding situation.
“I attended coalition meetings. Peter Obi is welcome to continue to attend those coalition meetings,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also shared his position on the contentious issue of zoning ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that the South should produce the next president.
In the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi and Baba-Ahmed ran on the platform of the Labour Party.
Obi finished third in the final results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, while President Bola Tinubu was declared winner.