2027: Baba-Ahmed says only God can prevent Tinubu’s victory

Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, has acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s formidable political machinery, saying only God can prevent the president from being declared winner of the 2027 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed spoke during an interview with Trust TV in which he examined the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections and the prospects of the leading contenders.

While maintaining his criticism of some of Tinubu’s policies, Baba-Ahmed praised the president’s long-term political organisation and his ability to build alliances.

He said Tinubu dedicated about 16 years to establishing a political base and was instrumental in forming the alliance that helped bring former President Muhammadu Buhari into the political mainstream 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,” he 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.”

Baba-Ahmed described Tinubu’s eventual victory in the 2023 presidential election as an exceptional political feat, noting that the president had succeeded in an area where others had struggled.

He also drew a comparison between Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

According to Baba-Ahmed, Atiku may have faced opposition from people within his political camp if he had adopted some of the unconventional strategies associated with Tinubu.

The former LP chieftain further alleged that Tinubu has accumulated considerable influence over Nigeria’s political system and could prevent opposition parties from successfully forming a coalition against him.

“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He continued: “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.”

Asked if his comments were intended as praise or criticism of the president, Baba-Ahmed said the interpretation was left to the public.

“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 platform in the 2023 presidential election.

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