Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s former vice-presidential candidate, says only God can prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election.
Datti made the statement in an interview with TrustTV while discussing political developments ahead of the election and the records of major presidential contenders.
Although he said he disagreed with Tinubu’s policies, Datti acknowledged the president’s political organisational skills and his ability to build alliances over many years.
He said Tinubu spent about 16 years building a political structure and played a significant role in bringing former President Muhammadu Buhari into an alliance ahead of the 2015 election.
“Even though I don’t entirely agree with him, he did what others were not able to do. He organised for 16 years, not just plan,” Datti said.
“He organised for 16 years against all odds, he brought in Buhari from retirement. Buhari is from across the Niger. He stood for that.”
According to him, Tinubu’s willingness to pursue difficult and unconventional political strategies was a major factor behind his victory in the 2023 election.
Datti contrasted this with Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, suggesting that the former vice-president might not have been able to adopt similar strategies because of opposition from those around him.
He described Tinubu’s 2023 victory as an extraordinary political achievement, saying the president had effectively “won a lottery with 16 digits.”
Datti also said Tinubu currently has an overwhelming influence over Nigeria’s political space and has “overpowered almost everyone.”
He alleged that the president could prevent opposition parties from forming a united front against him.
“He will not allow them to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” Datti said.
“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.”
Asked whether his assessment was a compliment or criticism, Datti said it was open to interpretation.
“It is anybody’s business to interpret it anyhow. I only state the facts. And the fact is Nigeria now belongs to Tinubu,” he said.
Datti, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in 2023, recently said none of Tinubu’s opponents in the 2027 presidential election has the capacity to move Nigeria forward.