Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has said only divine intervention could prevent President Bola Tinubu from securing another victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Datti has criticised some of Tinubu’s policies, he acknowledged the president’s considerable political influence and organisational skills.
Speaking during an interview with TrustTV, as reported by TheCable, Datti discussed Nigeria’s political climate and the chances of major contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He highlighted Tinubu’s long-term political strategy, pointing to years of preparation before his eventual victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Datti also cited Tinubu’s role in building an alliance with former President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2015 election as evidence of his ability to make unconventional political moves.
“He organised for 16 years against all odds; he brought in Buhari from retirement. Buhari is from across the Niger. He stood for that,” Datti said.
Datti speaks on Tinubu’s political dominance
Datti described Tinubu’s 2023 victory as an exceptional political achievement, likening the feat to winning a lottery with 16 digits.
He argued that Tinubu has gained such a strong position within Nigeria’s political structure that he has effectively outmanoeuvred many of his rivals.
According to Datti, the president’s influence extends beyond his own political party and into the opposition, where he alleged that Tinubu could be influencing the emergence of leaders and candidates.
“He will not allow them to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” Datti said.
The former Labour Party presidential running mate went further, saying that stopping Tinubu from achieving his political objective in 2027 would require God’s intervention.
“If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he wants to be declared winner in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it. I’m telling you this.”
When asked whether his assessment amounted to praise or criticism of Tinubu, Datti said he would leave the interpretation to the public.
“It is anybody’s business to interpret it anyhow. I only state the facts. And the fact is Nigeria now belongs to Tinubu,” he said.
Datti compares Tinubu with Atiku
Datti also compared Tinubu’s political approach with that of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He suggested that Atiku may have encountered opposition from within his political camp if he had attempted some of the bold strategies attributed to Tinubu.
His latest comments come after he previously expressed doubts about the ability of Tinubu’s potential challengers, including opposition figures, to bring about the kind of change Nigeria needs ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
