Datti Baba-Ahmed: Atiku Has Been an Aspirant Since My NYSC Days, It’s Time for Generational Shift

Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Labour Party during the 2023 Nigerian General Elections, has commented on the persistent political aspirations of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging Nigeria's political class to embrace a generational shift in leadership.

In a recent interview, Baba-Ahmed noted the longevity of Atiku’s political career, suggesting that the former Vice-President has harbored presidential ambitions since Baba-Ahmed's own National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days, which typically occur in one's early twenties.

"Atiku has been an aspirant since my NYSC days," Baba-Ahmed said, a statement widely interpreted as a call for older politicians to make way for younger generations to take the helm of national leadership.

This commentary underscores the ongoing debate within Nigerian politics regarding youth involvement, the age of political leaders, and the need for fresh perspectives and innovative governance, moving beyond decades-old political cycles.

Baba-Ahmed emphasized the Labour Party's focus on structured, disciplined governance and economic revitalization, suggesting that the era of relying solely on established political figures may be drawing to a close.