Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections has called for immediate generational shift in the country’s political leadership, noting that the country urgently needs new leaders to address its challenges
He noted that the country seems to be recycling the spent horses in politics as he challenged ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar over his persistent presidential bids, saying he has been contesting since his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days.
Datti who made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television, pointed out that “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018 we contested primaries together”.
He recalled that he again faced Atiku during the 2023 general election.
“In 2023, we contested again. I, as a vice president elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And for God’s sake, in 2027 again?” Datti said.
The Labour Party chieftain stressed that Nigeria needs a fresh generation of leaders, adding that many capable Nigerians are ready to serve but are discouraged by the country’s political structure.
“There is need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation are waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party,” he said.
He further criticised Nigeria’s political system, describing it as expensive, difficult and dominated by godfathers.
“There are good Nigerians, people capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by the expensive, difficult, treacherous system full of godfathers and bad promises,” he added.
Atiku started contesting when I was doing my NYSC; there’s a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders.
His remarks came amid renewed speculation about Atiku’s political future and the possibility that he may seek to run for president for the seventh time, this time under his new party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Meanwhile, Datti, former running mate of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has dismissed claims that he had declared for the presidency in 2027.
Datti clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted, stressing that no such declaration was made.
“I never declared to contest the presidency” he said.
According to him, his recent public remarks were limited to reaffirming his membership of the Labour Party, amid growing political discussions about the future direction of the party and its key figures. He acknowledged that while political possibilities may exist in the future, no announcement or decision has been made at this time.
The clarification comes after widespread media and social media reports claimed that Baba-Ahmed was positioning himself for a presidential run ahead of the next general election.
The reports sparked debate among supporters and political observers, many of whom viewed his comments as a signal of ambition.
Explaining further, Baba-Ahmed said, “Two days ago, what I did was simply say that I remain in the Labour Party. I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I reiterated my membership of the Labour Party, and that is all.”
He added that any declaration of interest would depend on the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s internal processes.
“The submission I made was that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest. I did not declare,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also criticised the role of social media in amplifying misinformation, urging professional media organisations to ensure accuracy.
“It is unfortunate that social media can be so sensational, putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners. I believe formal media like yours should serve as filters and barriers so that the general public can always consume the correct information,” he said.
Source: IntelRegion
