Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed reservations about the strength and cohesion of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that the party lacks unifying political heavyweights.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed said the ADC does not currently have figures with the political influence or strategic depth 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.
Concerns Over Internal Divisions
Baba-Ahmed warned that internal disagreements could emerge within the coalition, depending on who secures the party’s presidential ticket.
According to him, potential aspirants may struggle to command broad-based support across the coalition.
“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.
He reiterated that the absence of a dominant, consensus-building figure could pose challenges for the party’s unity.
Commends Tinubu’s Strategy
Despite being a member of the opposition, Baba-Ahmed commended President Tinubu’s political strategy and experience, describing him as focused and determined.
“Tinubu was focused, resourced, determined. And of course, he has a lot of sense and experience that he applied into this,” he said.
Drawing parallels with past elections, Baba-Ahmed referenced former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 re-election, suggesting that political understandings and regional considerations played significant roles at the time.
“They don’t have a Jonathan in the game,” he said, adding that past electoral successes were often shaped by broader political agreements and alignments.
He maintained that the ADC faces structural and leadership challenges that could affect its competitiveness in 2027, noting that a deeper analysis of the issues would require more extensive discussion.