Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated presidential ambitions, arguing that Nigeria needs fresh leadership to tackle its growing challenges.

Speaking on the state of Nigerian politics, Baba-Ahmed said Atiku has been a perennial contender for decades without delivering the transformative change Nigerians seek.

“When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was already an aspirant. In 2018, we contested primaries together. In 2023, we contested again—I as a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere, while his own vice president had left him. And now, in 2027 again,” he recounted.

Baba-Ahmed described Nigeria’s political system as unfriendly to genuine reformers, dominated by godfathers, money politics, and broken promises.

“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. Many capable Nigerians are discouraged by the expensive and treacherous system, yet they are eager to bring meaningful change,” he said.

He emphasised that despite systemic obstacles, Nigerians are still searching for credible leaders to address the nation’s challenges.

Baba-Ahmed’s comments come amid speculation that Atiku may pursue a seventh presidential bid, this time under his new party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).