Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that he came close to preventing the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
According to him, some political figures still blame him for comments he made in the tense days leading up to the handover.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) “has not recovered” from the warnings he issued at the time. He lamented that Nigerians ignored repeated cautions about the consequences of allowing flawed leadership and compromised processes.
“I nearly stopped the swearing-in of this government. Up till today, some elements are blaming me for it. Ever since a few statements I made, the APC has not recovered,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed stressed that Nigerians must take responsibility for demanding and defending good governance, insisting that waiting for intervention from foreign countries—especially the United States—is a futile path.
“No country will rescue you from what you refuse to fix. Americans will not bomb you into development. Nigerians, wake up,” he warned.
“I Love Nigeria—That Is My Only Motivation”
Reflecting on his personal values, Baba-Ahmed said his political stance is rooted in patriotism and a desire to see Nigeria reach its potential.
“The simple truth is this: I love Nigeria. I want Nigeria to work. That is my guiding principle,” he explained.
He criticised the pattern where leaders motivated by personal ambition or narrow group interests rise to power, saying the nation repeatedly pays the price for such choices.
“Nigeria should never be led by people whose sole obsession is re-election or personal gain,” he added.
A Warning Ahead of 2027
Looking ahead to the next electoral cycle, Baba-Ahmed called on citizens to fiercely reject electoral manipulation.
“Do not allow anybody to rig in 2027. They will do it if you allow them, and to them, you mean nothing. Even the Constitution means nothing—because one individual can decide how he wants it interpreted,” he cautioned.
On Education and Baze University
Shifting to his passion for education, Baba-Ahmed discussed the ethos behind founding Baze University, which he describes as his family’s legacy project.
“Whenever I complain about something, I do something about it. Education is our family legacy,” he said.
He condemned what he described as the rising disregard for standards in establishing new universities across the country.
“Even where there is an education policy, they are abusing it. This government is breaking its own laws. Some institutions are being allowed to start in rented buildings—this is illegal,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed also accused certain regulatory authorities of trying to undermine Baze University.
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“They want to fight me, they want to dilute the quality. But I will speak the truth, no matter the consequences,” he insisted.
