Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has called on elder statesman and perennial presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar to make way for younger leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on January 9, 2026, Baba-Ahmed, aged 56, referenced his own National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in 1992 to underscore Atiku's long-standing ambition.
"When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant," Baba-Ahmed said. "In 2018, we contested primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, For God’s sake, in 2027 again? There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist.
"Atiku Abubakar, now 79, first contested for the presidency in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries in 1993, finishing third behind Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe. He has since run unsuccessfully in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. Following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in late 2025, positioning himself within a coalition that also includes former running mate Peter Obi.
Baba-Ahmed's comments come amid shifting opposition dynamics, with reports indicating he has expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidency on the Labour Party platform (though he later clarified he had not formally declared).
He emphasized the existence of capable younger Nigerians discouraged by the current political system's reliance on "godfathers" and expensive processes.
The remark has sparked discussions on social media and in political circles about the need for leadership renewal in Nigeria, where recycled candidates from the "old guard" continue to dominate presidential contests.
Critics of Atiku argue his repeated bids reflect a lack of fresh ideas, while supporters praise his experience and persistence. Baba-Ahmed, meanwhile, stressed that competent new leaders are ready to address Nigeria's challenges if given the opportunity.
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