“None of Tinubu’s Challengers Can Improve Nigeria, Including Obi” — Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed Breaks Silence
In a dramatic shift that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed—the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party—has declared that none of the politicians currently challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu possess the capacity to fix Nigeria.
Most notably, Baba-Ahmed included his former running mate, Peter Obi, in this blunt assessment.
Speaking during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Baba-Ahmed delivered an unsparing critique of Nigeria’s political class across both ruling and opposition divides.
“Prepare to Leave, But Hand Over to No One Currently Running”
When asked what direct advice he would offer President Bola Tinubu regarding his administration’s trajectory, Baba-Ahmed did not hold back. He urged the President to plan his exit from power, but cautioned against yielding office to the prominent figures currently vying for the presidency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I will simply advise uncle [Tinubu] to please prepare to hand over and move away, but not to the people contesting against him because none of them will improve Nigeria.”
— Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
When the host pressed him to clarify whether his critique applied across the board to every major opposition candidate, Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his position, insisting that the political establishment requires a complete reset rather than recycled leadership.
Why Datti Baba-Ahmed Included Peter Obi
The most striking moment of the interview arrived when Okinbaloye specifically asked whether this harsh judgment extended to Peter Obi—his presidential principal during their high-decibel 2023 campaign under the Labour Party flag.
“Including Peter Obi, I’m sorry to say,” Baba-Ahmed responded.
To justify his stance, Baba-Ahmed highlighted the structural history of Nigeria’s mainstream political figures. He pointed out that Obi, like nearly all major contenders, was once a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its years as the ruling power.
In Baba-Ahmed’s view, genuine structural transformation cannot come from politicians who have been part of the historical ruling establishment at various points in their careers:
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The Core Argument: Mainstream candidates share common political roots and party-switching histories.
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The Call for Reset: Nigeria requires a fundamental departure from established political networks rather than shifting power between former allies.
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Party Affiliations: Baba-Ahmed emphasized that virtually every candidate challenging Tinubu has ties to previous ruling coalitions.
When asked to identify a prominent politician who had never belonged to a ruling party, Baba-Ahmed pointed to his own political record, maintaining that he has consistently operated outside the ruling establishment throughout his time in public life.
Shifting Alliances Ahead of 2027
The revelations come amid realignment across major political parties as figures position themselves for the next electoral cycle:
Baba-Ahmed’s comments underline the growing fragmentation within opposition movements as political leaders recalibrate their positions and alliances in the build-up to 2027.
