By Ayo Kehinde
Former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed reports suggesting that he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency, saying his comments were widely misinterpreted.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, January 9, 2026, the former senator stressed that he never made any formal declaration of interest in the presidency. “I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” he said.
According to him, his recent public remarks were strictly limited to reaffirming his continued membership in the Labour Party, amid ongoing political conversations about the future of the party following the recent defection of its former standard-bearer, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He acknowledged that while political possibilities could arise in the future, no decision or announcement has been made at this time.
“Two days ago, what I did was simply say that I remain in the Labour Party. I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening. I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I reiterated my membership of the Labour Party, and that is all,” Baba-Ahmed explained.
The clarification followed widespread media and social media reports claiming that the former vice-presidential candidate was positioning himself for a presidential run ahead of the 2027 general election, a development that sparked debate among supporters and political observers.
Baba-Ahmed emphasised that any declaration of interest would be subject to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the internal processes of the Labour Party.
“The submission I made was that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest. I did not declare,” he said.
He also criticized the role of social media in amplifying misinformation, urging professional media organizations to uphold accuracy and responsibility in political reporting.
“It is unfortunate that social media can be so sensational, putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners. I believe formal media like yours should serve as filters and barriers so that the general public can always consume the correct information,” Baba-Ahmed added.
