Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has sparked fresh conversations about political renewal in Nigeria by pointing out the decades-long presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
A Political Journey Spanning Generations
During a live television interview on Friday, January 9, 2026, on Channels Television, Datti provided a personal timeline to illustrate the persistence of certain political figures. He revealed that Atiku Abubakar was already a presidential aspirant when Datti himself was a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
"When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018 we contested primaries together," Datti stated. He further highlighted that their political paths crossed again during the 2023 general elections, where Datti was the vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party opposing Atiku's bid.
The Call for a New Political Era
Datti Baba-Ahmed framed Atiku's long-standing quest for the presidency as symptomatic of a broader systemic issue. He argued that Nigeria's political space is dominated by a recurring cycle of familiar faces, which stifles innovation and discourages new leadership.
"In 2023, we contested again. I, as a vice president elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And for God’s sake, in 2027 again?" he remarked, questioning the sustainability of such patterns for a nation in need of dynamic solutions.
He passionately advocated for a generational shift in leadership, asserting that capable Nigerians exist but are locked out by a costly and difficult political structure. "There is need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation are waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party," Datti emphasized.
Systemic Barriers and Denied Ambitions
Criticising the nature of the political system, Datti described it as an environment hostile to competent individuals. "There are good Nigerians, people capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by the expensive, difficult, treacherous system full of godfathers and bad promises," he explained.
He directly addressed and dismissed circulating reports about his own presidential ambition, labeling them as false. Datti clarified that his focus is on the need for structural reforms that prioritize merit over political muscle, creating a pathway for fresh ideas to emerge.
In related commentary, Datti also cast doubt on the possibility of his former principal, Peter Obi, securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, citing entrenched interests within opposition coalitions.
The remarks by Datti Baba-Ahmed have reignited a critical debate about political succession, voter apathy, and the urgent need for a more inclusive and rejuvenated democratic process in Nigeria.
