Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has shared his perspective on Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, expressing doubts about the possibility of northern political forces rallying behind emerging opposition alliances ahead of future elections.
He noted that, in his view, it is unlikely for the North to collectively support the proposed “OK” political arrangement, though he emphasized that this remains a personal opinion and that he maintains respectful relationships with all key political actors involved.
Baba-Ahmed recalled a meeting with former presidential candidate Peter Obi in January 2024 at John Wilson Hotel, where he reportedly advised him to engage major political figures such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai as part of broader strategic planning.
According to him, successful political outcomes require long-term strategy and early coordination, warning that failure to plan ahead could weaken future chances.
He also questioned the consistency of political alliances, asking what had changed between the 2022 and 2023 election cycles to justify new alignments among political actors.
Baba-Ahmed further highlighted demographic shifts in Nigeria, noting increasing demand for younger leadership, but warned that contradictions within political arrangements could undermine such aspirations.
He argued that regional influence and political dominance remain key factors in any viable presidential ticket, suggesting that strong local political structures can heavily shape national outcomes.
While acknowledging that opposition collaboration is possible, he maintained that historical voting patterns and internal party dynamics make such alliances difficult to sustain, stressing the importance of consistency in political strategy going forward.
