Datti Baba-Ahmed denies presidential bid, reaffirming his commitment to the Labour Party and addressing social media misinformation
The former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed reports suggesting he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency.
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Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Baba-Ahmed said his comments had been widely misinterpreted and no such declaration was made.
“I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” Baba-Ahmed told journalists.
Baba-Ahmed clarified that his recent public remarks focused solely on reaffirming his membership of the Labour Party amid ongoing political discussions about the party’s direction.
He acknowledged that future possibilities may exist but emphasised that no decision has been taken at this time.
Media and social platforms had earlier reported that Baba-Ahmed was positioning himself for a presidential run ahead of the next general election, a claim he firmly rejected.
“Two days ago, what I did was simply say that I remain in the Labour Party. I never declared to contest the presidency, even though there could be a possibility of that happening,” he said.
“I certainly did not declare for the presidency. I reiterated my membership of the Labour Party, and that is all.”
Baba-Ahmed further noted that any formal declaration would depend on the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission and internal party processes.
“The submission I made was that one will have to wait for the INEC timetable and for the party to make the call for people to indicate their interest. I did not declare,” he added.
Addressing the role of social media in shaping public perception, Baba-Ahmed urged media organisations to uphold professional standards and verify information before publishing.
“It is unfortunate that social media can be so sensational, putting out wrong narratives to emotional listeners. I believe formal media should serve as filters and barriers so that the general public can always consume the correct information,” he said.
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Baba-Ahmed’s clarification comes at a critical period for the Labour Party as internal discussions continue regarding its future leadership and strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.



