Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed widespread reports suggesting he recently declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s presidency, describing the claims as a misinterpretation of his recent public comments.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Baba-Ahmed clarified that he made no such declaration, and that his remarks had been distorted by sensational media coverage and social media speculation. The clarification comes after several days of intense political commentary following his appearance at a public event earlier in the week, where his statements were widely interpreted as signalling a presidential ambition.
“I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” Baba-Ahmed stated emphatically during the television interview, seeking to set the record straight amid growing confusion over his political intentions.
According to him, his recent public remarks were limited to reaffirming his membership of the Labour Party, a statement made against the backdrop of ongoing political discussions about the future direction of the party and the roles its prominent figures would play in the lead-up to the 2027 general election. He acknowledged that while political possibilities may exist in the future, no formal announcement or decision regarding a presidential bid has been made at this time.
The clarification became necessary after numerous media outlets and social media platforms reported that Baba-Ahmed was positioning himself for a presidential run, sparking widespread debate among supporters, political observers, and opposition elements. Many interpreted his comments as a deliberate signal of ambition, particularly given his high-profile role as running mate to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 election, a campaign that energised a broad coalition of young voters and disaffected citizens under the banner of what became known as the “Obidient” movement.
Explaining the context of his earlier remarks, Baba-Ahmed said: “Two days ago, what I did was simply say that I remain in the Labour Party. I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I reiterated my membership of the Labour Party, and that is all.”
His statement suggests that while he has not ruled out future political ambitions, including a potential presidential bid, he considers it premature and inappropriate to make any declaration at this stage, particularly in the absence of a formal electoral timetable or party guidelines for expressing interest.
Baba-Ahmed added that any declaration of interest would depend on the Independent National Electoral Commission releasing its timetable for the 2027 elections and the Labour Party initiating its internal processes for screening and selecting candidates. He emphasised the importance of following due process and respecting institutional frameworks in political decision-making.
“The submission I made was that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest. I did not declare,” he said, making clear that his remarks were procedural rather than declarative in nature.
Beyond clarifying his position, Baba-Ahmed also took the opportunity to criticise the role of social media in amplifying misinformation and creating distorted narratives that mislead the public. He expressed concern that sensational and inaccurate reporting, particularly on digital platforms, was contributing to confusion and eroding public trust in political communication.
“It is unfortunate that social media can be so sensational, putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners. I believe formal media like yours should serve as filters and barriers so that the general public can always consume the correct information,” Baba-Ahmed said, directing his remarks at professional media organisations.
