2027: ‘During my NYSC you were an aspirant’ – Baba-Ahmed begs Atiku to stop contesting
In a pointed critique of the current political status quo, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed has questioned the perennial presidential ambitions of Atiku Abubakar, noting that the former Vice President has been an aspirant since Baba-Ahmed’s days in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Speaking on Channels Television this Wednesday, the Labour Party chieftain expressed disbelief at the prospect of another Atiku run in 2027, asking, “For God’s sake, in 2027 again?” after decades of the same figures dominating the ballot.
Baba-Ahmed argued that the “expensive, difficult, and treacherous” system favored by veteran politicians is actively stifling a new generation of leaders who possess the ideas needed to fix Nigeria. He described the current political landscape as one cluttered with godfathers and “bad promises,” which discourages capable Nigerians from stepping forward. According to the Senator, there is a “whole new generation” waiting for fresh leadership to guide them toward a different political path.
The timing of these remarks is significant, as Atiku Abubakar has officially moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following his resignation from the PDP in July 2025. This new coalition platform has also attracted other political heavyweights, including former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. By contrast, Baba-Ahmed has chosen to remain with the Labour Party, signaling a major strategic split between the 2023 running mates.
Baba-Ahmed emphasized that his call for a generational shift is based on the need for a leadership style that prioritizes substantive ideas over high-cost political theatrics. He insisted that capable individuals exist within the country but are currently sidelined by a system that rewards longevity and deep pockets over innovation. He urged established figures to finally step aside and allow younger Nigerians to take the lead in solving the nation’s pressing problems.
The Senator’s comments also touched upon his own political journey, noting that he and Atiku contested primaries together as far back as 2018. He expressed a sense of fatigue with a political cycle that sees the same names appearing on every ballot, regardless of past outcomes or shifting national needs. This sentiment reflects a growing demand for “new blood” within the opposition as the 2027 race begins to take shape.
Despite the movement of his former principal, Peter Obi, to the ADC, Baba-Ahmed appears committed to rebuilding the Labour Party as a distinct alternative. He noted that any personal decision regarding his own candidacy would depend on the official INEC timetable and the internal processes of his party. For now, his focus remains on challenging the established order and advocating for a more accessible political environment.
As Nigeria moves closer to the next general election, the fragmentation of the opposition into the ADC and LP camps creates a complex three-way battle for the presidency. Baba-Ahmed’s latest intervention underscores the internal tensions within the opposition as leaders weigh the benefits of veteran experience against the public’s apparent hunger for generational change.
