Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has made a striking statement about the political resolve required to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a recent public engagement, Baba-Ahmed declared that anyone aiming to defeat Tinubu must be prepared for a fierce political battle, insisting that it would not be a contest settled in the courtroom.
“Whoever is going to defeat Tinubu must be ready to show your red eyes. There’s no going to court,” he said.
The remark has sparked widespread reactions, with supporters interpreting it as a call for political toughness, grassroots mobilisation, and strategic vigilance rather than reliance on post-election litigation. Critics, however, argue that such language risks inflaming tensions in an already charged political environment.
Baba-Ahmed, who has consistently criticised Nigeria’s electoral process, appeared to suggest that opposition forces must focus on preventing manipulation before and during elections, rather than depending on legal challenges after results are declared.
His comments come amid early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition figures intensify debates on how best to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu’s incumbency.
