National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, has revealed that discussions involving former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over joining the party ended after disagreements over conditions for participation.
Baba Ahmed disclosed this during an interview on ITV, where he explained that negotiations between the PRP and the two politicians advanced significantly before eventually collapsing.
According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso approached the party for possible collaboration, and discussions progressed to the point where a committee was expected to be constituted to continue the engagement.
“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.
Explaining the major issue that stalled the talks, Baba Ahmed stated that the politicians sought assurances that they would automatically emerge as the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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 practise that kind of politics,” he stated.
The PRP chairman stressed that the party insisted every aspirant must first become a member and participate in its internal democratic process before seeking 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 although the party acknowledged the political strength and popularity of the two politicians, it could not compromise its constitution and internal regulations.
“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 disclosed that the politicians’ camp also requested that certain party positions be allocated to their supporters because of their influence and followership.
“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 about the party’s status on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, portal and internal disputes involving individuals allegedly claiming membership of the party.
“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 breakdown in talks, Baba Ahmed said both parties ended the discussions amicably.
“We wished each other well and parted peacefully; there was no quarrel or fight,” he said.
