By Muhammad Mamman
In a dramatic twist amid the Labour Party’s internal turmoil, National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim has declared that the party’s 2027 presidential ticket is up for grabs, with no candidate guaranteed a free pass. Speaking in a fiery interview with Trust TV, Ibrahim asserted that Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, is just as qualified as Peter Obi to lead the charge for the presidency.
“Datti is every bit as capable as Peter Obi to contest for president,” Ibrahim stated emphatically. “The candidacy is not reserved for anyone—it’s open for a fiercely competitive contest.”
Ibrahim expressed frustration over Obi’s recent cosying up to leaders of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that such alliances could cost the former Anambra governor the LP’s 2027 nomination. “If Datti aspires to the presidency under the Labour Party, we’ll throw the doors wide open. He can purchase the form, rally his supporters, and compete,” Ibrahim said. “But those flirting with other parties risk disqualification. You can’t straddle two camps and expect to waltz back into Labour’s fold.”
The announcement follows Baba-Ahmed’s recent signal of interest in the 2027 race, contingent on Obi stepping aside. While reaffirming his support for Obi, whom he believes deserves another shot at the presidency, Baba-Ahmed made clear that the top job is not a desperate pursuit for him.
As the Labour Party gears up for a high-stakes battle, Ibrahim’s bold stance sets the stage for a gripping contest, with the party’s future direction hanging in the balance.
