Datti Baba-Ahmed Says Peter Obi Should Lead 2027 Coalition, Not Play Second Fiddle
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 election, has said that Obi is too qualified to accept the role of vice president in any political alliance heading into 2027. Instead, he believes the former Anambra governor should be the leading presidential candidate of the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
During an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Thursday, July 3, Baba-Ahmed made it clear that Obi’s showing in the last election—where he secured what he described as a “disputed 10 million votes”—positions him far above a supporting role.
“The office of vice president is a serious one. I wanted it, and I believe I was rigged out,” Baba-Ahmed said. “But with the numbers Peter Obi pulled in 2023, he shouldn’t be anyone’s running mate.”
He pointed out that the main contenders in the coalition appear to be Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi. However, he emphasized that Obi has earned the right to lead, not follow.
Baba-Ahmed also pushed back against the popular belief that only a broad coalition of opposition figures can unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Citing the performance of the Labour Party in the last election, he argued that political unity isn’t necessarily about party alliances.
“People were quick to say only a coalition can defeat Tinubu. But look at what we did in 2023—we outperformed APC and PDP without any coalition,” he said. “What Nigeria really needs is a coalition of votes, not politicians.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of protecting votes and ensuring electoral integrity, rather than merely forging elite political agreements.
“The real coalition is at the ballot box. It’s about uniting votes and defending them until the final declaration.”