2027: I have not declared presidential ambition, says Datti Baba-Ahmed

Former Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has denied claims that he has declared interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed made the clarification on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he explained that his recent comments were misinterpreted.

According to him, he only reaffirmed his continued membership of the Labour Party and did not make any formal declaration of presidential ambition.

“I never declared to contest the presidency, although there could be a possibility of that in the future. I certainly did not declare. I only reiterated that I remain a member of the Labour Party,” he said.

The LP chieftain stressed that discussions around the 2027 presidential election are premature, noting that neither political parties nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have released official guidelines or timetables for the exercise.

“I made it clear that one must wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to call for expressions of interest,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed attributed the reports of a supposed declaration to sensationalism, especially on social media, accusing some individuals of deliberately misrepresenting his remarks to stir emotions and create misleading narratives.

He urged Nigerians to rely on verified statements and established political processes, emphasizing that he has made no official declaration regarding the 2027 presidential race.