Datti Baba-Ahmed Affirms Obi’s Freedom to Lead LP in 2027, With or Without His Support

 Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate, on July 23, 2025, reiterated that Peter Obi retains the autonomy to contest the 2027 presidential election as the LP candidate, irrespective of his own involvement. 

During a media interaction, Baba-Ahmed underscored Obi’s stature as a unifying opposition figure, stating that his own political future would not constrain Obi’s ambitions. This follows speculation about Baba-Ahmed’s potential shift toward a more independent role after attending the Abure-led NEC meeting, amid reports of internal LP tensions.

Baba-Ahmed’s stance reflects a commitment to the LP’s 2023 success, where Obi garnered 6.1 million votes, though the party’s current five Senate seats signal vulnerability. Some analysts suggest his comments aim to mend fences with Obi, whose absence from recent party events has fueled rumors of a rift, while others see it as a strategic move to bolster his own profile ahead of 2027. 

The LP’s leadership crisis, centered on Abure’s control, complicates the scenario, with no clear succession plan. Baba-Ahmed’s support for Obi’s candidacy, with or without him, projects magnanimity but leaves the party’s direction ambiguous, dependent on Obi’s decision and internal resolution.