Since my NYSC days, Atiku has been contesting election - Datti Baba-Ahmed

Datti Baba-Ahmed on Atiku Abubakar’s Longstanding Political Ambition

In a recent statement, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, reflected on the enduring political journey of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking candidly, Baba-Ahmed remarked that since his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days, Atiku has consistently been contesting elections, underscoring the remarkable persistence of the veteran politician in Nigeria’s democratic space.

Baba-Ahmed’s comment highlights the longevity of Atiku’s ambition, which has spanned decades and multiple attempts at securing Nigeria’s highest office.

Atiku Abubakar, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been a recurring figure in presidential contests, vying for the position across different political platforms. His repeated bids reflect both his resilience and the complexities of Nigeria’s political landscape, where electoral success often requires navigating shifting alliances, party structures, and regional dynamics.

The remark also carries a generational undertone. By situating Atiku’s political journey within the timeline of his own NYSC experience, Baba-Ahmed draws attention to how Atiku’s ambition has become a fixture in Nigeria’s democratic narrative, spanning the lives and careers of younger politicians. It suggests that Atiku’s repeated candidacies are not merely personal pursuits but part of a broader story about Nigeria’s evolving democracy, where familiar figures continue to shape the contest for leadership.

This statement resonates strongly in the context of Nigeria’s political culture, where persistence is often seen as both a strength and a point of contention.

For supporters, Atiku’s determination symbolizes commitment and experience.

For critics, however, it raises questions about political renewal and the need for fresh leadership.

Baba-Ahmed’s observation, therefore, is not just a reflection on Atiku’s personal journey but also a commentary on the cyclical nature of Nigerian politics, where established figures remain central to the electoral process.

Ultimately, the remark encapsulates the intersection of history, ambition, and generational change in Nigeria’s democracy. It underscores how Atiku Abubakar’s repeated contests have become a reference point for political discourse, shaping perceptions of leadership and persistence in the country’s democratic experiment.