Political Coalition Condemns Baba-Ahmed's Call for Atiku to Withdraw from 2027 Race
The Omoluabi Coalition has issued a strong rebuke against Hakeem Baba-Ahmed for his repeated public statements urging former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside from the 2027 presidential contest. In a sharply worded statement released on Friday, January 23, the coalition described Baba-Ahmed's interventions as partisan maneuvers designed to weaken Nigeria's opposition forces ahead of the crucial general elections.
Coalition Questions Democratic Principles and Political Loyalties
According to the statement signed by Convener Olumide Obayemi, the coalition characterized Baba-Ahmed's posture as duplicitous and inconsistent with democratic values. The group emphasized that decisions regarding political candidacy represent fundamental constitutional rights that should be determined by political realities and popular will, rather than what they termed the preferences of self-appointed gatekeepers.
The coalition expressed particular concern about what they perceive as Baba-Ahmed's selective criticism since his departure from President Bola Tinubu's administration. They noted his apparent silence on what they described as the government's failures regarding worsening economic hardship and social dislocation, while simultaneously focusing his public commentary on attacking opposition figures and parties, especially the African Democratic Congress.
Defending Political Advocacy and Regional Representation
The Omoluabi Coalition strongly defended the right to political advocacy across all Nigerian regions, specifically addressing what they see as Baba-Ahmed's hostility toward political voices from the South-East. They stressed that supporters of Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, along with supporters of Atiku Abubakar and other aspirants, possess equal democratic rights to articulate political demands and canvass positions.
No individual certainly not Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has the moral or democratic authority to criminalize political demands simply because he disagrees with them, the statement asserted. The coalition emphasized that democracy thrives on engagement rather than enforced silence, rejecting what they view as attempts to suppress legitimate political discourse.
Allegations of Opposition Division and Coordinated Attacks
The coalition leveled serious accusations against Baba-Ahmed, suggesting he is deliberately fueling internal tensions within opposition ranks to fracture unity and provide electoral advantage to the ruling All Progressives Congress. They directly challenged him to clarify his political position, questioning whether he operates as an independent voice or functions as what they described as a fifth columnist working for President Tinubu's re-election.
Adding to their concerns, the coalition pointed to what they characterized as hostile public interventions by members of Baba-Ahmed's family against Peter Obi, suggesting these actions deepen suspicions of a coordinated effort to sow discord among opposition stakeholders.
Call for Unity and Accountability Ahead of 2027 Elections
In their concluding remarks, the Omoluabi Coalition urged Nigerian citizens to remain vigilant against narratives that distract from holding the current administration accountable for governance challenges. They described the current political moment as critical, arguing that any analyst who focuses on attacking opposition prospects rather than interrogating governmental failures exposes themselves as agents of the status quo.
The coalition called upon all opposition stakeholders to prioritize unity and constructive engagement as the country approaches the 2027 general elections, emphasizing that Nigeria has endured enough political division and requires focused attention on substantive governance issues.
