The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, has revealed that talks between the party and two major opposition figures, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, failed because of disagreements over the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba Ahmed said both politicians approached the PRP for possible collaboration but discussions broke down after they allegedly demanded automatic access to the party’s presidential ticket without going through internal competition.
According to him, the PRP leadership rejected the request, insisting that all aspirants must follow the party’s democratic process and constitution. He explained that the party could not compromise its principles regardless of the political influence or popularity of those involved.
Baba Ahmed stated that Obi and Kwankwaso were told to first become members of the PRP before seeking any elective position within the party. He added that the politicians also requested several party positions because of the supporters they planned to bring into the party.
The PRP chairman maintained that while the party respected the political strength of both men, it could not guarantee any candidate an uncontested presidential ticket.
Reacting to the claims, the Kwankwasiyya Movement dismissed the allegations and described them as an attempt to attract public attention. Spokesperson of the movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, said he was unaware of any official meeting where Kwankwaso or Peter Obi requested the PRP presidential ticket.
He argued that the PRP had publicly appealed to both politicians and members of the opposition coalition to join the party, adding that there was no evidence that either Obi or Kwankwaso demanded special treatment.
Mohammed also accused some PRP figures of repeatedly making statements against the two politicians for political relevance. He insisted that the claims were baseless and should not have attracted serious attention.
Peter Obi’s camp had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing the report.
Both Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are now associated with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.
Leave a comment