The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, has cast doubt on the cohesion and electoral prospects of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, saying the party lacks unifying political figures comparable to some of Nigeria’s past and present leaders.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed argued that the ADC does not have the political weight of former President Muhammadu Buhari or President Bola Tinubu.
“They don’t have a Buhari or a Tinubu in the ADC. Tinubu has a lot of sense. They don’t have it in ADC,” he said.
He warned that internal disagreements could arise depending on who emerges as the party’s presidential candidate, suggesting that major contenders could struggle to rally unanimous support within the coalition.
“Because today, if Atiku wins the ticket, others have a problem with that. If Obi or Amaechi wins the ticket, other candidates will have a problem with it,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
“They don’t have a Buhari in ADC,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed also praised Tinubu’s political strategy and experience, describing the president as focused and determined.
“Tinubu was focused, resourced, determined. And of course, he has a lot of sense and experience that he applied into this,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 election, Baba-Ahmed referenced what he described as a prior political understanding with northern stakeholders.
“They don’t have a Jonathan in the game. Why do I mean by Jonathan? Jonathan was re-elected in 2011 with the promise to northern elements that he wouldn’t contest 2015.
“So there was a promise issue, and the north felt it was time to go back to the north,” he explained.
He added that these concerns point to broader structural challenges within the ADC coalition, noting that a fuller discussion of those issues would require more time.
