2027: Datti disowns Atiku’s coalition, says it’s for personal gain

Former Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Monday met with the factional National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, in Abuja and declared his intention to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party.

He said his peace initiative includes reaching out to Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, and other dissatisfied stakeholders in a bid to restore unity and rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Speaking at the National Executive Committee meeting of the Abure-led faction, Baba-Ahmed emphasised the uniqueness of the Labour Party’s political journey.

“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from. The successes and history that the Labour Party of Nigeria has recorded is unique and unprecedented,” he said.

Reflecting on the outcome of the 2023 general elections, he claimed, “We presented clear records and evidence of 10 million votes scored in the last election, thereafter reduced to 6.1 million votes.

The act of state capture is a more onerous task causing disunity and disaffection within political parties.”

Describing himself as a loyal member of the party, Datti said, “I am here as a peacemaker to reconcile divergent opinions.”

“I’m very proud to say that I did attend meetings of a certain attempt for a coalition in Nigeria. Morally speaking, if your neighbourhood invites you to discuss security, you must attend.”

“However, if you attend and they discuss other matters besides that, you are at liberty to restore yourself to your former position.”

Reaffirming his allegiance to Labour Party despite participating in coalition talks, he noted, “I have attended and I have listened to the coalition attempts, yet I remain in the Labour Party. I am not one to sleepwalk into any political arrangements.”

He subtly warned against coalitions that may not reflect the values and vision of the Labour Party, stating, “I must say, in the past, a coalition was made and a Nigerian government was voted out.”

“I note with pleasure that this is what we as the Labour Party did in 2023 and what we are about to do again in 2027.

” However, the government that follows is even more important than the act of removing the government itself. A government was removed and what followed was disaster.”

He stressed that his interest lies in building a credible government, not just unseating the APC, and reaffirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently recognises the Abure-led leadership.

“This I do, devoid of any personal interest, devoid of any ambition, and devoid of any animosity to any group whatsoever,” he said.

Dr. Datti also acknowledged Peter Obi’s recent remarks as positive, saying, “I am glad also to note that from the comments of my boss, His Excellency Governor Peter Obi, he remains in the Labour Party.”

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He concluded with a call for unity and dialogue. “I vow to rally all factions together, for us to sit down, understand each other better and move forward,” he added.