Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party (LP) Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has expressed that neither he nor the LP is surprised by the current economic turmoil facing Nigeria.
He stated that they had previously warned Nigerians about the risks of allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the LP Interim National Caretaker Committee in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed, who represented the LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, emphasized that the party is ready to surpass its performance in 2023, with the aim of taking a majority in the National Assembly and securing the presidency in 2027.
He said, “We didn’t have a crisis. We managed a transition which was a bit bumpy, and that was it. I tell you, no other political party of our size could do that in the time and manner that we did. We are the political party who went all the way to the Supreme Court claiming our 10 million votes. They were only able to give us 6 million votes. So we are a force to contend with in Africa. What we’ve done has never been done before.”
Reflecting on the APC’s governance, he noted, “What we warned Nigerians of the failure of APC, the dangers of APC is happening. They are failing more on the Nigerian economy. They are destroying the security of Nigeria. Every day in the news, you report it, our citizens are abducted. They are killed in hundreds of villages. We warned Nigerians this was going to happen.”
Addressing the leadership tussle within the party, Baba-Ahmed clarified that Julius Abure’s removal as National Chair was a result of his term expiring, not external interference.
He said, “No governor unseated Abure; the constitution unseated him. Abure’s time elapsed. Nobody unseated him. As of today, Abure is our good friend and a loyal member.”
He called for unity within the party and urged Abure and his team to rejoin the Labour Party’s efforts to rebuild.
“We want him back in the fold, we have roles for him to play. Likewise, all members of the former NEC and NWC are welcome to come and join us.”
Senator Nenadi Usman, Chair of the LP National Caretaker Committee, reassured members of her commitment to rescuing the party and restoring its potential to serve as a credible alternative platform for Nigerians.
She said, “We are on a rescue mission, not just for the Labour Party but for our dear nation Nigeria.”
Usman called for sacrifice and integrity from the Committee members to ensure the party’s success, pledging reconciliation efforts and an inclusive approach to leadership.
Additionally, the Secretary of the Committee, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, outlined the Committee’s objectives to elect new party officials at all levels. He assured that the party is working hard to complete the process efficiently and effectively.
The meeting highlighted the Labour Party’s readiness to chart a course for the future, with the vision of becoming the platform for disenfranchised Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.