Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has dismissed reports claiming he has declared interest in contesting the presidency in 2027.
Baba-Ahmed disclosed this while speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, noting that his remarks had been misrepresented, that he only reaffirmed his membership of the Labour Party.
“I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening,” he said. “I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party.”
He described discussions about the 2027 presidential race as premature, noting that neither political parties nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released official timetables for the election.
“I clearly stated that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The former vice-presidential candidate blamed the controversy on what he described as sensational reporting, particularly on social media. He said some individuals had taken his comments out of context and pushed misleading narratives to provoke emotional reactions.
Baba-Ahmed urged the public to rely on verified statements and official political processes rather than speculation. He emphasised that no formal declaration has been made by him regarding any presidential ambition ahead of 2027.
The clarification comes amid rising political speculation as parties and aspirants begin positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections. While several figures have been linked to early manoeuvres, INEC has repeatedly warned that campaigns and declarations remain subject to its official timetable.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments appear aimed at drawing a clear line between personal political membership and any future ambition, as the Labour Party continues to assess its direction following the 2023 polls.
