2027: Datti Baba-Ahmed Sparks Controversy, Says Obi, Atiku, Others Lack Capacity to Save Nigeria

Central to Baba-Ahmed’s argument is his self-styled political purity, presenting himself as the sole major political figure who has never been co-opted by a ruling party. While the Nigerian political landscape is notorious for cross-carpeting and opportunistic alliances, the former Senator pointed out his unique trajectory. He maintained that his previous association with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) occurred when it was a minor opposition party, and he strategically resigned before the merger that birthed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This calculated distancing from the established elite highlights an ongoing debate within Nigeria’s intellectual circles regarding the viability of "systemic outsiders" to drive genuine institutional reform. Critics, however, suggest that Baba-Ahmed’s purist stance may border on political isolationism, questioning how a candidate can build a winning electoral coalition without engaging with veteran politicians and established regional structures. According to unconfirmed reports, several key members of the opposition have expressed private frustrations over what they perceive as an uncoordinated and divisive rhetorical strategy by the former vice-presidential candidate.

Beyond his critique of domestic alliances, Baba-Ahmed also took aim at Atiku Abubakar's past political maneuvers, questioning the sincerity of the former Vice President’s relentless pursuit of President Tinubu’s academic and personal records in the United States. He insinuated that such issues were being weaponized selectively rather than driven by a consistent commitment to systemic transparency. This line of criticism further isolates Atiku, who has been trying to position himself as the natural leader of a grand democratic coalition ahead of 2027.