Datti Baba-Ahmed raises concerns over Atiku’s ‘merciless spending’ in primary elections
Datti Baba-Ahmed
Abdullateef Fowewe
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the last general election, has voiced concern over the nature of the upcoming primary elections that may pit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against former Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
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Speaking on the internal dynamics of party primaries, Baba-Ahmed referenced Atiku’s aggressive and high-stakes approach in past contests.
“When the chips are down and it’s time for primaries, what kind of primary will Atiku conduct against someone like Amaechi? You know how Atiku handles primaries—mercilessly. I remember in Port Harcourt, dollars were flying,” Baba-Ahmed said, alluding to the financially intense atmosphere of previous primaries.
His comments come amid growing political realignments. Amaechi has announced his readiness to collaborate with Atiku and other opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 elections, citing worsening economic conditions and governance failures.
Atiku has accused the current government of using poverty as a tool to oppress Nigerians and stressed the importance of building a strong coalition to end such practices. Similarly, Amaechi has emphasized the urgent need to tackle poverty and insecurity as central issues for Nigeria’s political future.
Baba-Ahmed’s remarks highlight the intense competition expected in the upcoming primaries, particularly between heavyweight figures like Atiku and Amaechi. Their evolving rivalry and potential alliance could significantly influence the opposition’s strategy heading into the 2027 general elections.
