Baba-Ahmed also suggested that major contenders within the ADC could struggle to rally unanimous support from the coalition.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Labour Party (LP) 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, has argued that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) lacks personalities with the political weight of former President Muhammadu Buhari or President Bola Tinubu within its ranks.
He made the assertion during a recent interview on Trust TV, where he cast doubt on the cohesion and electoral prospects of the ADC coalition in the 2027 elections.
According to the LP chieftain, the opposition party lacks unifying political figures comparable to some of Nigeria’s past and present leaders.
Speaking during the interview, Baba-Ahmed said: “They don’t have a Buhari or a Tinubu in the ADC. Tinubu has a lot of sense. They don’t have it in the ADC.”
He further warned that internal disagreements could arise depending on who emerges as the party’s presidential candidate, noting that major contenders might struggle to rally unanimous support within the coalition.
“Because today, if Atiku wins the ticket, others have a problem with that. If Obi or Amaechi wins the ticket, other candidates will have a problem with it,” he stated.
ALSO READ: Abia Deputy Gov, Emetu, says Tinubu is free to join Labour Party
Baba-Ahmed went on to praise Tinubu’s political strategy and experience, describing the President as focused and determined.
“Tinubu was focused, resourced, and determined. And of course, he has a lot of sense and experience that he applied to this,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 election, Baba-Ahmed referenced what he described as a prior political understanding with northern stakeholders.
“They don’t have a Jonathan in the game. What do I mean by Jonathan? Jonathan was re-elected in 2011 with the promise to northern elements that he wouldn’t contest in 2015. So, there was a promise issue, and the North felt it was time to go back to the North,” he explained.
He added that these concerns point to broader structural challenges within the ADC coalition, noting that a fuller discussion of those issues would require more time.
