Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed claims that he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency, describing the reports as a misinterpretation of his remarks.
Baba-Ahmed made the clarification on Friday, stressing that at no point did he announce a presidential ambition.
According to him, his recent comments were limited to reaffirming his continued membership of the Labour Party amid ongoing political discussions about the party’s future.
“I never declared to contest the presidency,” he said. “What I did was simply state that I remain in the Labour Party. While there may be political possibilities in the future, no decision or declaration has been made.”
He explained that discussions about future elections remain premature, noting that any legitimate declaration of interest must follow the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable and the party’s internal procedures.
“One has to wait for the appropriate time, for INEC to issue its timetable and for the party to formally invite expressions of interest. That has not happened, and I did not declare,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
The clarification follows widespread reports and online speculation suggesting that he was positioning himself for a presidential run ahead of the next general election, sparking debate among political observers and supporters.
Baba-Ahmed also expressed concern over the role of social media in spreading misinformation, urging the media to uphold accuracy and responsibility in reporting political issues to avoid misleading the public.
