LP defectors are “political travelers”- Datti Baba-Ahmed

Says he remains “proud to be associated with real members” of LP

Hints at presidential run with Labour Party in 2027

Emeka Agu Jnr

The vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has described former members of the party who have defected to other political platforms as “political travellers.”

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed made the remark on Wednesday while addressing party faithful at a rally held at the LP national headquarters in Abuja and also pledged to be loyal to the Labour Party on whose platform he rode to be vice presidential candidate in the 2023 polls.

Baba-Ahmed, 56, was the running mate to Mr. Peter Obi, who contested for the presidency but lost to Bola Tinubu, the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the Abuja rally, Baba-Ahmed appeared to take a swipe at some former party members who, according to him, were welcomed into the LP with its presidential ticket in 2022 but later chose to leave.

“I had earlier engaged all party members to reconcile, and while some heeded my calls, others took offence and proceeded to defect,” he said.

“No regrets to me for this role, however, as a leader in this party. In this defection case, neither my humble self nor the Labour Party are the aggressors.”

Describing the defectors as transient politicians, he added, “A group of political travellers welcomed in 2022 with a presidential ticket continue with their journey. Simple.”

Baba-Ahmed said the LP remains proud of its performance despite challenges, noting that the party recorded notable electoral successes in the last general election.

 “With all humility, Labour Party can flaunt its success. In the presence of financial difficulties, in an era of perfected electoral fraud, the Labour Party produced a state governor, eight senators, about 40 House of Representatives members and about 50 state House of Assembly members,” he said.

He added that although many of those elected on the party’s platform have since defected, he remains “proud to be associated with real members” of the LP.

Datti Baba Ahmed also hinted at a possible presidential ambition on the party’s platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I am a Nigerian and will make my decision known when the whistle is blown. Yes, I’m Nigerian, I am a Hausa man and Muslim. Bola Tinubu is a human being, and there are human beings in the Labour Party. I have what it takes,” he added.