Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has raised concerns about the growing number of presidential ambitions within the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.

In an interview with Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed pointed out that the coalition is crowded with prominent political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Peter Obi, as well as former Senate President David Mark, among others, all of whom are seen as potential presidential contenders.

He emphasized that unlike past political strategies where some leaders, like Bola Tinubu, shelved personal ambitions to support candidates such as Atiku (2007) or Buhari (2015), the current coalition lacks such unity and selflessness.

While acknowledging that the ADC has ample resources and influential members, he warned that unchecked ambitions could undermine its effectiveness. He criticized the coalition for lacking a clear and unconventional strategy needed to defeat the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu, in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed specifically advised against fielding Atiku Abubakar again, noting that the APC knows how to counter his candidacy. Instead, he urged the coalition to choose a fresh, unpredictable candidate, someone the ruling party cannot easily strategize against.

 “If you bring Atiku, they know how to work against Atiku… You need that candidate they can’t understand,” he said.

He concluded by calling for a bold and innovative approach, similar to the APC's 2015 victory with Buhari, to break through in the next general election.