Politics

Yusuf Datti Joins Abure-Led NEC Meeting, Commits to Settles LP Factions Dispute

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 21st, 2025.

Yusuf Datti Joins Abure-Led NEC Meeting, Commits to Settles LP Factions Dispute

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, recently attended a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Julius Abure, one of the party’s factional leaders.

During the gathering, Datti emphasized his commitment to unifying the party’s divided ranks. He expressed a strong desire to work alongside his presidential running mate, Peter Obi, in reconciling differing interests and mending internal rifts within the party.

Criticizing the recent political coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Datti argued that merely displacing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not enough. “The real challenge lies in ensuring that the government that replaces it is competent and purposeful,” he said.

Datti’s Message of Unity and Purpose

“Labour Party is not one to abandon,” Datti remarked. “Its achievements, particularly in the last election, are significant and without precedent.”

He pointed to the 10 million votes initially credited to the party before being officially lowered to 6.1 million. He linked this to systemic manipulation, which he believes has contributed to disunity within political structures.

Positioning himself as a unifier, Datti stated, “I have come in peace. I aim to bring people with differing views together.”

He also clarified his stance on the ADC-led coalition, explaining that while he did attend their meetings out of courtesy and a sense of responsibility, he remains firmly aligned with the Labour Party.

“I’ve participated in coalition talks in the past. It’s important to listen when your political neighbors call for dialogue. But one is also free to walk away when the agenda no longer aligns,” he added.

Drawing from past experiences, he warned that ousting a government must be followed by responsible leadership. “We’ve seen before that regime change without vision leads to chaos. In 2023, we made history. In 2027, we must do it right.”

Commitment to Inclusive Leadership

Datti pledged to engage with all factions — including those led by Julius Abure and Nenadi Usman — while also acknowledging the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in recognizing party leadership.

“My efforts are not driven by ambition or bias. I am here solely to heal and unify,” he affirmed.

He concluded by noting Peter Obi’s continued commitment to the Labour Party and expressed confidence that with honest dialogue and mutual respect, the party can move forward together.