…says the party’s ticket is not reserved for anybody.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times reports that the Labour Party has said that its 2027 presidential ticket is open to all aspirants, including Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 general election.
The party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, stated this during an interview with Trust TV, insisting that the Labour Party is not reserving its presidential candidacy for any individual –not even its 2023 flagbearer, Peter Obi.
“Datti is qualified to contest for the presidency as good as Peter Obi. So, the seat of that candidacy is not reserved for anybody. It is open for a competitive contest,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that should Baba-Ahmed declare interest, the party would provide a level playing field.
“If Datti is willing to aspire for the presidency and he wants to do that under the Labour Party, we will open ticket. Come and buy the form, mobilise his support, and then get elected,” he said.
However, Ibrahim emphasized that loyalty to the party would be a key consideration, stating that candidates seen as aligning with other political parties could face disqualification.
“There’s no way you’ll continue to romance with another political party, and then still come back with one leg in the Labour Party. No – ab initio, you may be disqualified,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Datti Baba-Ahmed has hinted at a possible 2027 presidential run if Peter Obi opts out of the race. Despite this, he reaffirmed his loyalty to Obi, stating the former Anambra governor deserves a second shot at the presidency on the Labour Party’s platform.
