They Are Political Travellers, Not Ideologues — Datti Baba-Ahmed Fires at LP Defectors
The vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has taken a swipe at former members of the party who recently defected to other political platforms, describing them as “political travellers” whose loyalties are driven more by convenience than conviction.
Baba-Ahmed made the remark while addressing party faithful and supporters in Abuja, amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the defections do not reflect a failure of ideology within the Labour Party but rather expose a pattern of political opportunism among some individuals who merely pass through parties in search of personal advantage.
“A group of political travellers were welcomed in 2022 with a presidential ticket, and they have continued with their journey. Simple,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The former vice-presidential candidate stressed that the Labour Party remains committed to its founding ideals of accountability, good governance and people-centred leadership, insisting that the exit of some members would not derail the party’s long-term vision.
Defections and Opposition Politics
His comments come against the backdrop of high-profile defections from the Labour Party following the 2023 elections, a development that has reignited debate about ideological consistency and party discipline in Nigeria’s democracy.
Baba-Ahmed argued that political parties should be built on principles rather than personalities, noting that defections have become a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political culture, particularly as election cycles draw closer.
LP’s 2023 Electoral Footprint
Despite internal challenges, Baba-Ahmed maintained that the Labour Party made significant gains in the last general election, securing seats across the National Assembly and state legislatures, as well as producing a sitting governor.
He acknowledged that some of those elected on the party’s platform have since defected but described such moves as expected in a system where ideology is often subordinated to power calculations.
Looking Ahead
Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party and its supporters, assuring them that the party would regroup and reposition as a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 polls.
Political observers believe his remarks signal an attempt by the LP leadership to draw a clear line between committed party members and what he termed “political travellers” as the battle for relevance in the opposition camp intensifies.