Yusuf Datti Baba‑Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice‑presidential candidate for the 2023 election, said on Tuesday that Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) could emerge as a major challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Speaking on Channels Television’s programme Politics Today, Datti warned that the APC was “underestimating” Baba‑Ahmed and that the latter’s experience and political credibility could pose a “serious threat” to President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election bid in 2027. He added, “If there is anything that is a threat to Tinubu 2027, it is Dr Hakeem and PRP. People don’t know him. They have underestimated him. He means business.”
Datti highlighted Baba‑Ahmed’s long record in public service, describing him as a “seasoned public servant and intellectual” who has risen through the political ranks on the basis of merit rather than personal gain. “All the records are there. He is not there for money. He means what he is doing,” he said.
The Labour Party candidate also criticised the ruling party’s strategic calculations, stating that the APC’s failure to recognise Baba‑Ahmed’s potential was “a very bad mistake.” He suggested that the PRP’s growing profile could reshape the dynamics of the next election cycle, compelling the APC to reassess its electoral strategies.
Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, a former academic and former member of the House of Representatives, founded the PRP in 2022 after departing from the People’s Democratic Party. Since its inception, the PRP has positioned itself as a reform‑oriented alternative, focusing on anti‑corruption measures and institutional strengthening. While the party remains small in terms of parliamentary representation, its leader’s background in academia and public policy has attracted attention from segments of the electorate seeking a departure from the dominant two‑party system.
Political analysts note that the emergence of a third‑party figure with a credible track record could fragment the traditional vote bases of both the APC and the opposition People’s Democratic Party. If Baba‑Ahmed can convert his professional reputation into grassroots support, he may influence coalition formations or act as a kingmaker in a tightly contested 2027 race.
The remarks by Datti come as parties intensify their preparations for the upcoming elections, with candidate nominations expected later this year. Observers will be watching whether the PRP can translate its leadership’s credentials into measurable voter support and how the APC will respond to the perceived challenge.
