Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has said none of the politicians expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election can improve Nigeria, including his former running mate, Peter Obi.
Baba-Ahmed made the comment during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, with a clip of the interview circulating widely on social media on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Baba-Ahmed Advises Tinubu
Responding to a question about Tinubu’s leadership and the 2027 presidential contest, Baba-Ahmed said the president should prepare to leave office but argued that none of his expected opponents would improve the country.
“I will simply advise uncle (Tinubu) to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria,” he said.
When asked whether he was referring to all those preparing to challenge Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed maintained that the statement applied to them.
He said the politicians “were all in bed together at some point or another,” suggesting that their previous political affiliations made them unsuitable to bring the change he wants for Nigeria.
Baba-Ahmed Names Peter Obi
Asked specifically whether his position also applied to Peter Obi, Baba-Ahmed responded, “Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say.”
He referred to Obi’s past membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was the ruling party at the time, while explaining his argument for what he described as “a whole new Nigeria.”
Baba-Ahmed and Obi were Labour Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively in the 2023 election, where their ticket finished third behind the All Progressives Congress and the PDP.
Former Obi Ally Defends His Position
Baba-Ahmed has sought to distinguish himself from politicians who have previously belonged to Nigeria’s major ruling parties, saying he is among the few politicians who have never been a member of a ruling party.
During the same interview, he also discussed his previous warning to Obi about joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to Baba-Ahmed, Obi left his “comfort zone” despite the advice and later exited the party.
The comments come as political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensifies, with Tinubu expected to seek re-election and opposition politicians, including Obi, positioning themselves for the contest.
