ADC snubs Datti’s verdict on opposition candidates’ capacity
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed the assessment by former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, that none of the major opposition figures seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 has the capacity to improve Nigeria.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, made the remarks while discussing the 2027 contest, arguing that the politicians challenging Tinubu had, at various times, been part of the political establishment.
His comments have since drawn responses from some of the opposition figures he referred to, including Obi.
Reacting to the former LP vice-presidential candidate in a terse response to The Nation’s inquiry, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Baba-Ahmed’s assessment was not worth a response.
“We don’t respond to every attention seeker,” Abdullahi said.
Similarly, a source familiar with the party also told our correspondent that Atiku’s capacity to govern should not be judged merely by current political arguments, noting his record in public service.
The source said Atiku’s experience as vice-president, as well as his years of involvement in national politics and public administration, provided a basis for assessing his capacity to lead the country.
The source added that while Nigerians were entitled to assess all the presidential candidates critically, dismissing Atiku’s capacity outright ignored his previous public responsibilities and experience at the highest levels of government.