Vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed surprise that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is once again seeking Nigeria’s presidency ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed recalled that Atiku has been contesting for the nation’s top office since his own National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days, stressing the need for a generational shift in Nigeria’s leadership.
“When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant. In 2018, we contested the primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, and now, for God’s sake, 2027 again,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed argued that Nigeria needs a new generation of leaders, noting that many capable citizens are discouraged from political participation by what he described as an expensive and treacherous system dominated by godfathers and unfulfilled promises.
“There are good Nigerians capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, difficult system filled with godfathers and broken promises,” he said.
The LP chieftain, however, dismissed claims that he had declared interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election, clarifying that he merely reaffirmed his membership of the Labour Party.
“I never declared to contest the presidency, even though it could be a possibility. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party,” he stated, urging the public to ignore what he described as sensational narratives circulating on social media.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked reports that its former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement issued in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and signed by the APC State Organising Secretary, Barrister Hassan Abubakar, the party described the reports as false, malicious and misleading.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Abdullahi Adamu remains a steadfast and card-carrying member of the APC. At no time did he defect or contemplate defection,” the statement said, explaining that a viral photograph being circulated online showed the former chairman revalidating his APC membership during the party’s ongoing e-membership registration exercise.
Adamu himself dismissed the rumour, describing it as a social media attempt to attract attention. “I am not an ungrateful politician,” he was quoted as saying.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has denied reports alleging that Governor Bala Mohammed plans to defect to the ADC. In a statement, the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Sama’ila Adamu Burga, described the claims as fake and politically motivated.
Burga said the rumour had already been addressed at a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 4, 2026, where party leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP and passed a vote of confidence on the governor.
He added that Governor Mohammed remains committed to democratic values and has never discussed plans to defect to any other party.
In another development, a faction of the Labour Party led by its interim chairman, Nenadi Usman, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In a communiqué issued after its National Working Committee meeting, the faction said the request was in line with the April 4, 2025 Supreme Court judgment referenced by INEC. The communiqué also adopted Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, as National Leader of the Labour Party and wished former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, well following his defection to the ADC.
The party reaffirmed its unity and commitment to holding credible congresses and a national convention as scheduled.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has also dismissed reports claiming he defected from the PDP to the ADC.
In a statement by his media aide, Ajiri Daniels, the senator said he remains a committed PDP member, explaining that he had stepped back from politics due to mourning the death of Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Senator Dickson urged the public to disregard the defection reports, describing them as fake news, and assured that any future political decision would be formally communicated through his verified channels.