Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi's Running Mate, Acknowledges the Legitimacy of the Labour Party Led by Abure.

The Labour Party's vice-presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed his alignment with the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and has also committed to reconciling all aggrieved party leaders to ensure the party's continued success, as evidenced in the 2023 presidential election. He characterized the Labour Party (LP) as a historic movement that must be preserved. Datti made these remarks during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Julius Abure-led LP in Abuja. "The Labour Party is not a party to abandon," he asserted. "The achievements and history that the Labour Party of Nigeria has amassed are distinctive and unparalleled." Datti, who ran alongside Obi in the 2023 election, reminded party leaders of the strength they exhibited at the polls. "We provided clear records and evidence of 10 million votes obtained in the last election, which was subsequently reduced to 6.1 million votes," he stated, expressing concern over what he termed as "the act of state capture," which he attributed to internal divisions within the LP and other parties. Datti committed to facilitating reconciliation discussions between Obi and dissatisfied stakeholders. "I am here as a mediator to reconcile differing viewpoints," he declared. This development occurs amidst efforts by the opposition to consolidate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to achieve electoral success in 2027. Datti acknowledged his attendance at one of the coalition meetings but emphasized that his allegiance remains with the LP. "I am proud to state that I did participate in meetings regarding a potential coalition in Nigeria," he remarked. "From a moral standpoint, if your community invites you to discuss security, you should attend. However, if you find that other topics are being discussed, you are free to revert to your previous stance. I have attended and listened to the coalition discussions, yet I remain committed to the Labour Party. I do not blindly enter into any political arrangements." Datti cautioned LP members against being swayed by alliances that could jeopardize the party's integrity. "I must express that previously, a coalition was formed which resulted in the ousting of a Nigerian government," he remarked. "I take pleasure in noting that this is precisely what we, as the Labour Party, accomplished in 2023 and what we are poised to replicate in 2027. Nevertheless, the subsequent government is of even greater significance than the act of removing the existing one. A government was ousted, and what ensued was a catastrophe." Regarding the leadership crisis within the party, he affirmed the legitimacy of the Abure-led faction while stating that "INEC currently acknowledges the leadership of Abure."