Abuja, Nigeria — Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has raised concerns about the cohesion and electoral viability of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, arguing that the party lacks unifying political figures with the stature of some of Nigeria’s most influential leaders.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed stated that the ADC does not currently possess personalities with the political weight of former President Muhammadu Buhari or President Bola Tinubu.
“They don’t have a Buhari or a Tinubu in the ADC. Tinubu has a lot of sense. They don’t have it in ADC,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed warned that internal divisions could emerge within the coalition, particularly over the selection of a presidential candidate. According to him, major contenders may struggle to secure broad consensus across the party.
“Because today, if Atiku wins the ticket, others have a problem with that. If Obi or Amaechi wins the ticket, other candidates will have a problem with it,” he stated, reiterating that the ADC lacks a figure with Buhari’s unifying influence.
He also commended President Tinubu’s political acumen, describing him as strategic, focused, and well-prepared.
“Tinubu was focused, resourced, determined. And of course, he has a lot of sense and experience that he applied into this,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Drawing historical parallels, he referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 re-election, which he said was influenced by political understandings with northern stakeholders.
“Jonathan was re-elected in 2011 with the promise to northern elements that he wouldn’t contest in 2015. So there was a promise issue, and the north felt it was time to go back to the north,” he explained.
Baba-Ahmed concluded that these factors highlight deeper structural challenges within the ADC coalition, adding that a comprehensive discussion of the issues would require more time.
His remarks come amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
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