Labour Party's Datti Baba-Ahmed Criticizes APC Amid Nigeria's Economic Woes

The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Datti Baba-Ahmed reiterated his party's warnings about the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid the country's ongoing economic struggles. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Labour Party Interim National Caretaker Committee in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed highlighted the adverse effects of APC's policies on the Nigerian economy.

Upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy and unified the foreign exchange market. These reforms led to a significant devaluation of the naira against the United States dollar, exacerbating economic hardships for millions of Nigerians. Baba-Ahmed criticized these decisions, stating, "Our currency value again destroyed. Security destroyed. Hunger in the land. Fuel removal of subsidies managed very poorly, aggravated corruption continued lies and lies and lies."

He emphasized that the Labour Party had forewarned Nigerians about the potential dangers of allowing APC to remain in power beyond 2023. "We warned Nigerians this was going to happen. Desperate people took the victory of the Labour Party. What did they do with it?" he questioned.

Despite internal challenges, Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims of a crisis within the Labour Party, describing the situation as a transitional phase. "We didn’t have a crisis. We managed a transition which was a bit bumpy and that was it," he clarified. He also reaffirmed the party's readiness to offer new leadership for the 2027 presidential election, asserting, "The Labour Party remains a formidable force ready to offer a new direction to the country."

Addressing the leadership changes within the party, Baba-Ahmed clarified that the removal of Julius Abure was constitutionally mandated and not influenced by any governors. "No governor unseated Abure; the constitution unseated him because his tenure elapsed. As of today, Abure is our good friend and a loyal member," he explained.