Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has ignited heated debate across social media platforms after a video emerged in which he declared that unseating President Bola Tinubu would require what he termed “red eye” tactics, rather than sole reliance on judicial processes.
The video, shared on X on Thursday by user #_Dejii, captured Baba-Ahmed delivering sharp criticism of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems, alleging that constitutional provisions were violated during the 2023 presidential election that brought Tinubu to power.
“I told Peter Obi, Supreme Court cannot give you governor and give you presidency. For God’s sake, stand up and do something. The Nigerian Constitution was clearly breached,” Baba-Ahmed said in the footage, referencing his running mate in the 2023 election.
The former vice-presidential candidate drew historical comparisons with the June 12 struggle, the protracted campaign for the validation of the annulled 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by late business mogul Moshood Abiola. Baba-Ahmed argued that political actors during that era mounted aggressive and sustained resistance to perceived electoral injustice, keeping the issue alive for decades.
“Now if it was the June 12 people that you breached, not just the constitution, but breached one punctuation in their interest, I swear to God, nobody will sleep,” he stated, suggesting that contemporary opposition movements lack the intensity and staying power of past pro-democracy campaigns.
While expressing displeasure over what he characterised as constitutional violations, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged the organisational capacity of those currently in power, crediting them with the ability to mobilise effectively and defend their interests over extended periods.
“So as much as I dislike the fact that they abuse the Nigerian Constitution, you must give it to them. They fight for their interests, they can organise June 12 rallies, they can keep it up for three decades,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks took a particularly contentious turn when he appeared to suggest that opposition forces seeking to challenge Tinubu’s presidency must adopt confrontational approaches beyond conventional legal channels. He alleged that individuals who resist the declaration of what he described as “fake results” are often branded as criminals, while those attempting to declare such results receive protection from law enforcement agencies and are portrayed as lawful citizens.
“You must show your red eyes if you’re going to defeat Tinubu, because on that day that they are declaring the result, the people declaring a fake result are criminals, and those who are stopping the declaration of fake results are good citizens,” he stated.
“Whoever is going to defeat Tinubu must show red eye,” Baba-Ahmed emphasised, suggesting that court action alone may prove insufficient for those seeking to challenge the current administration.
The comments have triggered sharply divided reactions across Nigerian social media, with supporters and critics engaging in heated exchanges over the implications of Baba-Ahmed’s statement.
User #_Dejii, who shared the video, wrote “Datti for President,” signalling approval of the former candidate’s stance. Another user, #Jasonabba, expressed strong support, stating, “I am a strong Obedient and Igbo to the core but the day Datti decides to run for Election I wouldn’t look Obi’s way. And I’m dead serious.”
However, other commentators raised concerns about the potential consequences of Baba-Ahmed’s rhetoric. User #I_S_A_D wrote, “Take this lightly if you will, but this man is indirectly calling for massive unrest and turmoil and he doesn’t strike me like someone to lead from the front when shit hits the fan.”
Critics of the remarks were equally vocal. User #TheAicøn questioned the continued focus on the 2023 election outcome, writing, “Are you people not tired?. Tufiakwa! Slavery and suffering is evidently wired into your programming.”
The controversy emerges against the backdrop of lingering tensions from the 2023 presidential election, which saw Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress declared winner amid challenges from Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party. Both opposition candidates contested the results through the courts, with their petitions ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court in October 2023.
The phrase “red eye,” used repeatedly by Baba-Ahmed, is a Nigerian colloquial expression typically denoting aggression, confrontation, or an uncompromising stance in pursuing a goal. While the exact meaning of Baba-Ahmed’s usage remains subject to interpretation, his coupling of the phrase with criticism of judicial remedies has raised questions about what specific actions he may be advocating.
The June 12 struggle referenced by Baba-Ahmed remains one of Nigeria’s most significant pro-democracy movements. Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, civil society groups, labour unions, and political activists mounted sustained campaigns spanning years, demanding validation of the results and a return to democratic governance. The movement involved mass protests, strikes, and civil disobedience, and several activists lost their lives during confrontations with security forces.
The comparison drawn by Baba-Ahmed suggests his view that contemporary opposition movements lack the organisational capacity, sustained commitment, and confrontational approach that characterised the June 12 struggle. However, the reference has also prompted concerns about whether he is advocating for extra-legal methods of political contestation.
Nigeria’s electoral process has long been subject to criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised over issues including voter intimidation, result manipulation, inadequate voter education, logistical challenges, and limited access to justice for aggrieved parties. The 2023 general elections were marked by technical glitches with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s electronic transmission systems, leading to allegations of deliberate sabotage by opposition parties.
The Labour Party and its candidates mounted significant legal challenges to the presidential election outcome, arguing that constitutional requirements were not met and that irregularities compromised the integrity of the process. The Supreme Court, in its judgment, dismissed these petitions, affirming Tinubu’s victory and stating that the petitioners had failed to prove their allegations of substantial non-compliance with electoral laws.
Baba-Ahmed’s public statements since that judgment have consistently maintained that the election was fundamentally flawed. His latest remarks, however, represent perhaps his most explicit call for approaches beyond conventional legal and political channels.
