Fresh twists have emerged in the 2027 presidential race as former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, declared that Peter Obi would be welcomed back to the LP if he fails to clinch the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Datti said the Labour Party remains the natural home for Obi, noting that both men contested the 2023 presidential election together on the LP platform.
“I also said if Peter Obi does not get the ticket there in ADC, he is more than welcome back to the Labour Party,” Datti said.
“I will stand there and nobody will do anything bad to Peter Obi. It is better for him to come back than for him to do another type of agenda”.
The statement comes just days after Obi aligned with an ADC-led coalition, sparking intense political speculation across the country.
Despite the unfolding political realignments, Datti said he remains proud of what he and Obi achieved together during the 2023 elections.
Amid rumours of defection, the LP stalwart also dismissed claims that he had left the party, describing such reports as false and misleading.
Addressing the issue during the same programme, Datti clarified that he never declared an intention to contest the presidency.
“I never declared to contest the presidency even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I simply reiterated my membership of the Labour Party,” he said.
“That is all and in the submissions I made, I clearly stated that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest.”
He blamed the confusion on social media sensationalism, accusing some commentators of “putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners.”
