Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has said only God can prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed made the statement while discussing Nigeria’s political landscape and the prospects of major contenders ahead of the 2027 general election.
Although he said he disagrees with some of Tinubu’s policies, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged the president’s ability to build political structures and establish alliances over many years.
He said Tinubu spent about 16 years developing his political base and played an important role in the alliance that brought former President Muhammadu Buhari into the 2015 presidential race.
Baba-Ahmed also argued that Tinubu currently has considerable influence over Nigeria’s political space and suggested that this could make it difficult for opposition parties to unite against him.
He further claimed that the president may have influence over the choice of candidates and leadership within some opposition parties.
“If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he says to be declared in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also compared Tinubu’s political strategy with that of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that Atiku may have faced resistance from members of his political circle if he attempted similar political manoeuvres.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said his assessment of Tinubu could be interpreted either as praise or criticism, adding that he was simply stating what he considers to be the facts.
