The former Labour Party (LP) vice‑presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba‑Ahmed, has distanced himself from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the emerging opposition party as dominated by figures he says helped establish the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he believes is misruling the country.
Naijaonpoint reports that Baba‑Ahmed made the remarks in an interview with Trust TV, offering his perspective on opposition dynamics as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Reflecting on the makeup of the ADC, Baba‑Ahmed questioned the logic of joining a party he contends is dominated by political actors from the APC fold.
“Almost everyone in the ADC today, except Peter Obi, are people who helped establish the APC that is misruling Nigeria. Why should I walk into that trap again?” he asked.
He acknowledged the reputation of certain individuals within the opposition space but said their presence alone was not enough to convince him of a new political order.
“There are individuals I respect greatly, Atiku Abubakar, for instance. Amaechi is a fighter, a lion, an achiever. With the right environment and allies, he can do well,” Baba‑Ahmed said.
Baba‑Ahmed said that aside from Obi, the ADC “is made up of the same APC actors of 2015,” arguing that the party lacks the kind of leadership that once powered the opposition to electoral victory.
“They do not have a Buhari. They do not have a Tinubu, who was focused, determined, resourced and experienced. They also do not have a Jonathan figure. These three factors alone are enough for me to stay away,” he stated.
The former LP flagbearer added that many of these same actors were partly responsible for establishing what he described as the APC dragon that is now destroying Nigeria.
“Nothing has fundamentally changed about them. One of them is in prison,” he said, without naming the individual.
When asked how he would advise Nigerians if faced with choosing between two evils, Baba‑Ahmed offered a reluctant endorsement of the ADC relative to the APC.
“The ADC is a lesser evil than the APC. If Tinubu were to return as president, may God forbid, I am truly sorry for what would happen to Nigeria,” he said.