Vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called on the newly formed opposition alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Baba-Ahmed stressed that respecting the longstanding, albeit unwritten, tradition of power rotation between the North and South is crucial to the coalition’s chances of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized that adherence to this principle is not just a political strategy but a symbol of national unity, fairness, and mutual respect.
He expressed concern about the growing ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is rumored to be seeking the ADC presidential ticket. Baba-Ahmed warned that allowing Atiku, a Northerner, to contest under the coalition platform after President Buhari’s eight-year tenure and Tinubu’s ongoing Southern presidency could fracture the alliance. He pointed out that the 2019 election cycle saw complete Northern dominance in both major parties, with no Southerner even purchasing a nomination form in the PDP or APC, a move he described as an act of respect and political balance.
Baba-Ahmed further noted that in the 2023 cycle, Southerners such as Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi stepped up and contested seriously. Obi ran under the Labour Party while Amaechi came second to Tinubu in the APC primaries. According to him, this established a precedent that the South should retain the ticket in 2027. He questioned the logic and fairness of another Atiku candidacy, asking how prominent Southern contenders like Obi and Amaechi would respond to such a scenario.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has also voiced support for power rotation. In a separate interview, he declared his willingness to serve only one term as president if elected under the ADC platform. Amaechi emphasized that he would uphold the principle of power balancing between the regions, further reinforcing the calls for a Southern presidential candidate in 2027.
The ADC coalition, formally adopted last week as the platform for opposition unity, includes major figures like Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai. However, internal tensions are emerging over the issue of zoning and ticket allocation. Baba-Ahmed warned that how the coalition handles its first presidential primary will be a defining test of its integrity and cohesion. He predicted a competitive and possibly contentious contest, with no predetermined flagbearer.
As the 2027 elections approach, the ADC’s ability to manage internal interests, maintain its alliance, and project a unified message will be crucial. The question of zoning has quickly become a central issue that could either solidify the coalition or threaten its fragile unity.
