Abuja, Nigeria – February 12, 2026 — The 2023 Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is likely to face serious internal conflict over who will emerge as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
In a recent interview with Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed—who ran on the Labour Party ticket alongside Mr Peter Obi in the 2023 general election—argued that the ADC currently lacks a dominant, unifying personality capable of securing the presidential ticket through consensus or overwhelming acceptance.
He identified three key reasons why he believes the opposition party will struggle to produce a widely accepted candidate:
No Buhari-like figure
Baba-Ahmed pointed out that former President Muhammadu Buhari commanded enormous personal loyalty and moral authority within the political class and electorate, especially in northern Nigeria. He argued that no such towering figure currently exists in the ADC. If prominent names such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, or former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi emerge as the candidate, other stakeholders are likely to reject the outcome, insisting there are better or more deserving aspirants.
No Tinubu-like strategist
The senator contrasted the situation in the ADC with the All Progressives Congress (APC) under President Bola Tinubu. He described Tinubu as “focused, resourced, determined” and possessing “a lot of sense and experience” which he effectively applied to win both the party nomination and the general election in 2023. According to Baba-Ahmed, the ADC does not currently have anyone with a comparable combination of political sagacity, financial muscle, network, and strategic patience.
No Jonathan-like gentleman’s agreement
Baba-Ahmed recalled the 2011–2015 political arrangement involving former President Goodluck Jonathan. He explained that Jonathan was elected in 2011 partly on the understanding—communicated to northern leaders—that he would not seek re-election in 2015, paving the way for power to return to the North. That perceived “promise” became a major issue in 2015 and contributed significantly to the political dynamics of that election cycle. The ADC, he said, has no equivalent moral or political pact that could help manage the ambitions of multiple heavyweight aspirants.
Baba-Ahmed’s full remarks on the matter were as follows:
“One, they don’t have a Buhari in ADC because today, if Atiku wins the ticket, others have a problem with it. If Amaechi wins the ticket, others have a problem with it. If Obi wins the ticket, others have a problem with it.
Two, they do not have a Tinubu. Tinubu was focused, resourced, determined and he has a lot of sense and experience he applied to this. They don’t have it in ADC.
Three, they don’t have a Jonathan in the game. What do I mean by Jonathan? Jonathan was elected in 2011 with the promise to Northern leaders that he wouldn’t contest 2015. So there was a promise issue and the North felt it was time to go back to the North.”
The Labour Party stalwart’s comments come amid growing speculation about the direction of the ADC, which has been positioning itself as a potential platform for opposition unity ahead of 2027. The party has attracted interest from several high-profile politicians disillusioned with their current affiliations, but it has yet to demonstrate the kind of internal cohesion or clear leadership structure needed to challenge the ruling APC effectively.
Political analysts say Baba-Ahmed’s assessment reflects a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the next general elections: how to produce a single, acceptable candidate from a crowded field of aspirants with strong personal followings, regional bases, and competing claims to the opposition ticket.
Neither the ADC national leadership nor any of the individuals named in the interview—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, or Rotimi Amaechi—has issued a public response to Baba-Ahmed’s statements at the time of this report.
As the race toward 2027 intensifies, the ADC’s ability to manage internal ambitions and project a united front will be critical in determining whether it can emerge as a credible alternative to the APC.
