Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has said President Bola Tinubu’s path to victory in the 2027 presidential election appears so strong that only divine intervention could prevent his re-election.
Baba-Ahmed made the remark during an interview with Trust TV while assessing the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections and the prospects of the major presidential contenders.
Although critical of some of Tinubu’s policies, the former Labour Party chieftain acknowledged the President’s ability to build political structures and establish alliances over many years.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Tinubu spent about 16 years building a political base and played a key role in bringing former President Muhammadu Buhari into an alliance ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
“Even though I don’t entirely agree with him, he did what others were not able to do. He organised for 16 years, not just plan,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“He organised for 16 years against all odds, he brought in Buhari from retirement. Buhari is from across the Niger. He stood for that.”
He described Tinubu’s emergence as President in 2023 as an exceptional political achievement, arguing that he succeeded where others had struggled.
Baba-Ahmed also compared Tinubu’s political strategy with that of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that Atiku might have faced opposition from people around him if he had attempted similarly unconventional political manoeuvres.
He further alleged that Tinubu currently wields significant influence over Nigeria’s political space and could frustrate attempts by opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2027 election.
“He (Tinubu) will not allow them (opposition) to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed added, “If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he says to be declared in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it.”
When asked whether his comments amounted to praise or criticism of Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed said people were free to interpret his assessment as they wished.
“It is anybody’s business to interpret it anyhow. I only state the facts. And the fact is Nigeria now belongs to Tinubu,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed was Peter Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
