CUPP CONDEMNS DATTI BABA-AHMED’S ATTACK ON 2027 OPPOSITION CANDIDATES, URGES MEDIA TO PRIORITISE ISSUE-BASED DEBATE
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the recent remarks by former Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, regarding opposition presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election as politically retrogressive, undemocratic and inimical to the development of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, made the remarks during the MicOn Podcast, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. He reportedly advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prepare to leave office but not hand over to the politicians currently challenging him, declaring that “none of them will improve Nigeria.” He also argued that the major opposition contenders had, at various times, been associated with the political establishment.
CUPP finds this position deeply troubling, particularly coming from a politician who only recently participated in the same opposition political process and who, in 2023, campaigned alongside Peter Obi under the banner of political and economic transformation.
Indeed, the 2023 Labour Party campaign, which Baba-Ahmed actively championed, promoted the vision of moving Nigeria “from consumption to production.” Obi and Baba-Ahmed jointly presented themselves to Nigerians as a leadership team capable of delivering economic transformation and accountable governance.
The question Nigerians are therefore entitled to ask is: what has fundamentally changed?
If political experience, previous party membership or association with the political establishment is now sufficient reason to disqualify an aspirant from consideration, then such a standard would undermine the very pluralism upon which constitutional democracy rests.
The 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not reserve the presidency for politicians who have never belonged to another political party. Section 131 establishes the constitutional qualifications for presidential office and expressly requires that a presidential candidate be a Nigerian citizen by birth, meet the constitutional age requirement, be a member of a political party and be sponsored by that party, and satisfy the prescribed educational requirement.
Similarly, Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides the legal framework for political parties to nominate candidates through direct primaries, indirect primaries or consensus, while requiring eligible aspirants to be given the opportunity to participate in the nomination process. Section 29 further requires political parties to submit to INEC candidates who have emerged from valid party primaries.
The implication is clear: the Nigerian democratic framework recognises political competition, pluralism and the right of qualified citizens to seek elective office through duly registered political parties. No individual politician possesses the authority to foreclose the democratic choices available to millions of Nigerian voters.
CUPP therefore urges Nigerians to reject political absolutism and personality-driven narratives. The 2027 election should be about competence, economic policy, security, education, infrastructure, healthcare, jobs, constitutional governance and the welfare of citizens—not personal attacks or sweeping declarations against political opponents.
We equally call on media organisations to uphold their critical responsibility as institutions of democracy by providing platforms for issue-based political engagement, robust debate and scrutiny of competing policy alternatives, rather than allowing political discourse to degenerate into divisive or dismissive rhetoric.
It is also noteworthy that Baba-Ahmed, now a member of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), did not use the opportunity to advance the candidature or policy agenda of his party’s presidential candidate, Donald Duke, who has been cleared as the PRP candidate for the 2027 election.
CUPP believes Nigerians deserve a genuine contest of ideas and credible alternatives. Every qualified candidate should be allowed to present his or her vision, while Nigerians retain the sovereign democratic power to decide through the ballot.
The opposition must not be silenced, discouraged or delegitimised. Democracy thrives on choices. Nigeria needs more choices, not fewer.
CUPP therefore calls on all political actors to embrace restraint, issue-based campaigns and constructive engagement as the nation moves toward 2027.
May Nigeria prevail.
Signed:
Comr. Agu Diamond Bryan
Spokesperson
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP)
