Datti Ahmed casts doubt on sustainability of anti-Tinubu coalition

Vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has expressed skepticism over the long-term survival of the emerging opposition coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 polls.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Datti questioned whether the coalition, which has generated significant buzz in the political landscape, can withstand the rigours of internal competition and political ambition.

The coalition, currently rallying around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform, includes key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governors Peter Obi (Anambra), Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), as well as ex-Senate President David Mark. It aims to present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Datti, however, raised critical questions about the future of the alliance, particularly in the face of an eventual choice of a single presidential candidate from among the high-profile contenders.

“I think we should not be swept away by this coalition,” he cautioned. “You have key players—Peter Obi, I will call him first—Amaechi, Atiku and maybe Nasir El-Rufai. They’ve come together from diverse backgrounds with a variety of interests.”

He noted that among these political heavyweights, Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi stand out as frontrunners, but added that their close political standings could spark friction.

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“You can imagine that Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi are very close in the race, very, very close. What will the aftermath of this contest be? That’s why I made the analogy with the Buhari case,” Datti said, referencing the 2015 scenario when Muhammadu Buhari emerged from a crowded opposition field to lead the APC to victory.

“But in this case, all three are closely matched. Now, if one wins [the ticket], will the other two still remain in the coalition?” he asked.

Datti’s remarks reflect growing concerns over the internal dynamics of the newly formed alliance and whether the coalition can survive potential disagreements over leadership, ideology, and power-sharing arrangements.

While the opposition bloc has yet to formally announce its presidential candidate, political observers believe the outcome of its internal deliberations and primary process will determine its strength and effectiveness in mounting a credible challenge in 2027.