Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, is trending on X following reports from a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction in Abuja on July 21, 2025, where he was noted for expressing interest in running for president in 2027. The Labour Party’s NEC resolution, signed by Chairman Julius Abure and National Secretary Umar Farouk Ibrahim, commended Baba-Ahmed for “identifying with the leadership and declaring his interest for the 2027 general election.” This statement has driven significant online discussion, with some interpreting it as a formal declaration of his presidential ambition, while others question its clarity.
However, there is no claim from Baba-Ahmed explicitly stating, “I want to run for president in 2027.” Though the NEC resolution suggests his interest, no official source has been seen to confirm the phrasing. Baba-Ahmed, however, did emphasize unity and loyalty to the Labour Party during the meeting, saying, “I see myself as a loyal son of the Labour Party, driven by a mission to bridge the divides among our members.” This focus on reconciliation, amid the party’s factional crisis between the Abure and Nenadi Usman-Alex Otti factions, has led some to speculate that his “interest” may be more about strengthening the party than a definitive candidacy announcement.
Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some claiming he declared his ambition outright, while others argue he was misquoted and acting as a peacemaker. Without a direct, verifiable quote from Baba-Ahmed explicitly confirming his intent to run, the claim remains based on the NEC’s interpretation rather than his explicit words.
