Former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has said only God can stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

Baba-Ahmed made the assertion in an interview with TrustTV while assessing the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections and the strategies of major contenders.

The former vice-presidential candidate, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said although he disagreed with several of Tinubu’s policies, he recognised the president’s longstanding political organisation and ability to build alliances.

He said Tinubu’s political influence was the result of years of strategic organisation rather than overnight manoeuvring.

“Even though I don’t entirely agree with him, he did what others were not able to do. He organised for 16 years, not just plan,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“He organised for 16 years against all odds, he brought in Buhari from retirement. Buhari is from across the Niger. He stood for that.”

Baba-Ahmed was referring to Tinubu’s role in the political realignment that preceded the 2015 presidential election, when opposition parties merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with Muhammadu Buhari emerging as its presidential candidate.

He said Tinubu’s willingness to pursue difficult political strategies and sustain alliances over time contributed to his eventual emergence as president in 2023.

Baba-Ahmed contrasted this with the approach of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggesting that Atiku may have been constrained by the influence and resistance of people within his political circle.

He described Tinubu’s 2023 presidential victory as an extraordinary political feat, saying the president had “won a lottery with 16 digits”.

Baba-Ahmed also described Tinubu as having an exceptionally strong grip on Nigeria’s political environment, claiming that the president had “overpowered almost everyone”.

He criticised opposition parties for what he described as disorganisation ahead of 2027, arguing that Tinubu’s influence extends beyond the APC and could make it difficult for the opposition to form a formidable alliance against him.

“He (Tinubu) will not allow them (opposition) to come together. He probably actually chooses candidates in the opposition parties. He installs leadership in those political parties. He does what you and I cannot imagine,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He then made a strong prediction about Tinubu’s chances of returning to office in 2027.

“If Tinubu says something will happen, only God Almighty can stop it. If he says to be declared in 2027, only God Almighty can stop it. I’m telling you this,” he said.

Asked whether the remark was intended as a compliment or criticism of Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed said it was open to interpretation.

“It is anybody’s business to interpret it anyhow. I only state the facts. And the fact is Nigeria now belongs to Tinubu,” he said.

His comments come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition parties and politicians seek to build alliances and position themselves for the presidential contest.

Baba-Ahmed has remained critical of Nigeria’s political direction and has previously questioned the capacity of politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027, saying none of them currently has what it takes to move the country forward.