The Director of Politics at Arise News, Sumner Sambo, has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed over his recent comments on the 2027 presidential election.
Sambo urged Baba-Ahmed to allow politicians who are actively preparing for the 2027 contest to conduct their campaigns, rather than making sweeping assessments about the chances of other candidates.
He made the remarks while reacting to Baba-Ahmed’s recent comments concerning the presidential candidates expected to participate in the 2027 election.
Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, had questioned the capacity of some of the politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 presidency to provide solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
His comments have generated reactions from politicians and other stakeholders involved in preparations for the next general election.
Sambo, while responding to the former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, argued that political contenders should be allowed to determine their strategies and present their programmes to Nigerians.
He advised Baba-Ahmed to refrain from dismissing the chances of politicians who have entered the political field ahead of the election.
According to Sambo, the 2027 presidential contest is still developing, with political parties and candidates expected to continue building structures, forming alliances and presenting their policy proposals to voters.
He suggested that Nigerians should ultimately be allowed to assess the candidates and decide who they believe is best suited to lead the country.
The disagreement comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to seek re-election and several opposition figures positioning themselves for the presidential contest.
The opposition landscape has also witnessed significant realignments, with politicians from different parties exploring new platforms and alliances ahead of the election.
Baba-Ahmed has remained vocal about the political direction of the country following the 2023 election, when he contested alongside Obi against Tinubu and other presidential candidates.
His latest comments have consequently attracted attention as political parties begin preparations for another major electoral contest.
Sambo’s response reflects the growing disagreements among political actors, analysts and commentators over the credibility and capacity of the various individuals seeking to lead Nigeria in 2027.
With the election still ahead, the political environment is expected to become increasingly competitive as candidates seek to distinguish themselves from their opponents and convince voters of their ability to address the country’s economic, security and social challenges.
The exchange between Sambo and Baba-Ahmed also highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding potential presidential candidates and their political records.
For now, political parties and aspirants are expected to continue their mobilisation efforts while Nigerians await the formal commencement of the electoral campaign period.
