The 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has reiterated his call for a generational shift in Nigeria’s political leadership, saying the country urgently needs new leaders to address its challenges.
Datti made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television, where he reflected on his long political journey alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, Atiku had been contesting for the presidency as far back as when he was serving in the National Youth Service Corps.
“When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018 we contested primaries together,” he said.
He recalled that he again faced Atiku during the 2023 general election.
“In 2023, we contested again. I, as a vice president elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And for God’s sake, in 2027 again?” Datti said.
The Labour Party chieftain stressed that Nigeria needs a fresh generation of leaders, adding that many capable Nigerians are ready to serve but are discouraged by the country’s political structure.
“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party,” he said.
He further criticized Nigeria’s political system, describing it as expensive, difficult, and dominated by godfathers.
“There are good Nigerians, people capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by the expensive, difficult, treacherous system full of godfathers and bad promises,” he added.
It was earlier reported that Datti dismissed reports suggesting that he had recently declared his intention to contest the presidency, describing such claims as false.
He concluded by saying that many competent Nigerians are waiting for credible leadership to help fix the nation’s problems.
