Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has advised President Bola Tinubu to forgo seeking re-election in 2027—if he is truly the astute politician many believe him to be.
Appearing on Arise Television’s political programme Prime Time on Friday, Baba-Ahmed asserted that Tinubu’s time in office is effectively over. He argued that the signs are clear for both the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to see: defeat looms in 2027.
“I expect Tinubu to throw in the towel if he is indeed the smart politician he’s portrayed to be,” Baba-Ahmed said.
With a touch of sarcasm, the LP chieftain referred to Tinubu as a “super smart politician,” recounting how he has played a key role in shaping presidential contests since 2007—culminating, in Baba-Ahmed’s view, in a controversial victory in 2023.
“He skipped 2007 and jokingly made Atiku the candidate, made Ribadu and someone else in 2011, brought Buhari in 2015—Buhari won. Then he skipped 2019 and they stole 2023,” he remarked. “If he’s really that smart, he should know that 2027 will be a loss.”
Baba-Ahmed went on to say that there are at least two potential candidates who could defeat Tinubu in the next election. He further criticized the APC, branding the party as a “lie,” and questioned Tinubu’s ability to deliver on his campaign promises.
“Buhari did not develop Nigeria, did not provide security, and did not fight corruption,” he said. “Tinubu will not do any of these either.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Baba-Ahmed predicted a major political shift, suggesting that Nigerians would rally together to end bad leadership.
“I see APC losing this election,” he declared. “I see Nigerians uniting—listening to voices like mine—realizing that if you can’t practice democracy, it’s not for you. And then, for the first time, Nigerians will come out and truly practice democracy. When that happens, bad leadership will have nowhere left to hide.”
