Baba-Ahmed Reveals Why Obi, Kwankwaso Couldn’t Join PRP

The national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has revealed why former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, failed to join the PRP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed said talks between the PRP and the two politicians collapsed over disagreements surrounding conditions for joining the party.

According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso had approached the PRP for possible collaboration, with discussions progressing to the stage where a committee was proposed to continue negotiations.

“They came and said they wanted to join the PRP, but when we sat down and discussed with them, there were certain demands they made,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed disclosed that one of the key sticking points was the demand by both politicians to secure the party’s presidential ticket without facing internal competition.

“Before they joined, they told us that they were the presidential candidates — meaning they should be given the ticket. We told them no, this is PRP; we do not practice that kind of politics,” he said.

The PRP chairman stressed that the party insisted Obi and Kwankwaso must first become members and comply with its established procedures before seeking any elective office.

“I told them: first come into the party. After joining, you can then tell me, ‘I am Obi and I want to run for President,’ and ‘I am Kwankwaso and I want to be his running mate.’

“But for you to come even before a decision is made and ask us to guarantee you the ticket without opposition — if you are truly strong contenders, then why fear competition?” he asked.

Baba-Ahmed noted that while the PRP acknowledged the political strength and popularity of both men, the party could not compromise its constitution and democratic principles.

“We believed that if anyone entered a room and saw Obi and Kwankwaso, they would think strong contenders had arrived,” he said. “But we cannot break our party’s rules.”

He further claimed that the camps of the two politicians also sought a substantial share of party positions because of the supporters they planned to bring into the PRP.

“They requested that many positions be given to them because they said they had many supporters. We told them this was not a problem — come into the party first, then we can sit down and discuss,” he added.

The PRP chairman also cited concerns raised by the politicians over the party’s visibility on the Independent National Electoral Commission portal, as well as internal disputes within the party, as factors that contributed to the breakdown of the talks.

“They said when they checked the INEC portal, they could not find our party’s name there — which has been addressed. But they also heard some people falsely claiming to be PRP members, which they felt could create confusion if they joined the party. We told them we are doing our best to address that too,” he explained.

Despite the failed negotiations, Baba-Ahmed said both sides parted on cordial terms.

“We wished each other well and parted peacefully — there was no quarrel or fight,” he said.