Nigeria’s political landscape has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after reports emerged that Peter Obi’s 2023 vice-presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has decided to leave the Labour Party and align with a new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to developments reported in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed is expected to formally dump the Labour Party and join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), a move that marks a significant shift in the internal dynamics of the opposition bloc that rose to prominence during the 2023 elections. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The former senator, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the highly competitive 2023 presidential race, reportedly announced his decision during a televised political interview, where he expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the Labour Party. He argued that internal disagreements, leadership struggles, and ideological drift within the party had made it difficult for him to continue in the same political structure he once represented at the national level.
Baba-Ahmed explained that his move to the PRP is not impulsive but a carefully considered political decision driven by his belief that the party aligns more closely with his long-standing ideological stance. He also described the PRP as a historic political movement with deep roots in Nigeria’s political development, suggesting that its structure and legacy make it a suitable platform for the next phase of his political journey.
His comments have sparked immediate reactions across political circles, especially among supporters of the Labour Party and the broader “Obidient” movement, many of whom view him as a key figure in the 2023 electoral surge that reshaped Nigeria’s opposition politics. Baba-Ahmed had been widely seen as one of Peter Obi’s most vocal allies during and after the election, often defending the Labour Party’s performance and challenging narratives from rival political camps.
The development also adds another layer of complexity to early alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, where political actors across parties are already engaging in consultations, coalition talks, and strategic repositioning. Baba-Ahmed himself has recently been vocal about the need for a stronger opposition structure, although he has also expressed skepticism about broad merger arrangements involving multiple political blocs.
In his public remarks, he criticized the ruling party’s handling of national issues, particularly security, while also questioning the effectiveness of opposition strategies since the last general election. He maintained that Nigeria is in urgent need of political restructuring that goes beyond personality-driven alliances and focuses instead on ideological clarity and governance performance.
Interestingly, Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions of a unified opposition merger ahead of 2027, describing such arrangements as unrealistic under current political conditions. However, he indicated openness to selective alliances involving credible political actors, suggesting that collaboration could still play a role in shaping the next election cycle.
His planned departure is expected to trigger further debate within opposition ranks, particularly regarding the future direction of the Labour Party and the sustainability of the momentum it gained in 2023. While Peter Obi himself has continued to position himself within broader coalition discussions, recent developments suggest that internal fractures and realignments may continue to shape the political landscape leading into the next election cycle.
For now, Baba-Ahmed’s reported exit marks one of the most significant political shifts involving a key figure from the 2023 presidential race, raising fresh questions about loyalty, strategy, and the evolving nature of opposition politics in Nigeria as 2027 draws closer
