Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has raised concerns over the viability of the newly announced African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential race, citing what he described as the “merciless” style of primary elections associated with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed said that although the coalition brings together key political figures — including Atiku, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi — Obi should not settle for the vice presidency in any arrangement.
According to him, Obi’s performance in the 2023 polls, where he emerged third with over six million votes, gives him enough credibility to lead any alliance as its presidential candidate.
According to him, “the beginning of good governance is if you run good primaries.”
Baba-Ahmed expressed scepticism about the fairness of the internal selection process, especially with political figures like Atiku and Amaechi in the fold.
“And I doubt what people can do for power,” he said. “This underscores why I say we should not be misled, consumed by this excitement. Because as they say in English, when the chips are down and it’s time to do primaries, what kind of primaries is Atiku going to do with an Amaechi? You know how Atiku does primaries? Mercilessly.”
He referenced the 2018 PDP presidential primaries in Port Harcourt, where Atiku emerged as the party’s flag bearer ahead of several contenders, including then-Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Aminu Tambuwal. At the time, Atiku reportedly outspent other aspirants with widespread reports of dollar inducements to delegates.
“I remember those dollars flying. Well, we’re in the same coalition. But in Port Harcourt, I remember the dollars flying,” Datti said.
Similarly, Amaechi, who contested the APC presidential primaries in 2022, was runner-up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a contest also marred by allegations of vote buying and financial inducement.
Baba-Ahmed warned that replicating such practices in the ADC coalition would sabotage its credibility and defeat the purpose of offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
“Please, if you’re hearing me. We’re in the same coalition. And then what kind of primaries are they going to do? Am I going to deceive myself that all is going to be well in this ADC?” he asked.
Peter Obi officially declared his defection to the ADC on Wednesday following the launch of the coalition.
