Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Datti said Nigeria urgently needs fresh leaders to confront its deepening political and economic challenges
The 2023 Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has called for a generational shift in Nigeria’s political leadership, saying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been seeking the presidency since his own National Youth Service Corps days.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Datti said Nigeria urgently needs fresh leaders to confront its deepening political and economic challenges.
He recalled his long political history with Atiku, noting that the former vice president has repeatedly contested for the nation’s highest office over several decades.
“When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018 we contested primaries together,” he said.
He added that they were again political rivals during the 2023 general election.
“In 2023, we contested again. I, as a vice president elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And for God’s sake, in 2027 again?” Datti asked.
The Labour Party chieftain stressed that Nigeria has many capable citizens who are ready to lead but are held back by the nature of the political system.
“There is need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation are waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party,” he said.
Datti described the country’s political structure as expensive, hostile and controlled by godfathers.
“There are good Nigerians, people capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by the expensive, difficult, treacherous system full of godfathers and bad promises,” he added.
He also dismissed reports that he had declared his intention to run for president, describing such claims as false and misleading.
Datti concluded by saying that many competent Nigerians are waiting for credible leadership to address the nation’s problems.
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