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The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has revealed why former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso did not join the party ahead of the 2027 elections, saying both politicians wanted assurances over key political positions.
PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, saying discussions with the duo stalled over demands linked to the presidential ticket and party structure.
According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso wanted certainty over who would emerge as presidential and vice-presidential candidates if they moved into the PRP with their supporters.
“Well, they had issues about whether the party can guarantee that they emerge as presidential and vice presidential candidates,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“They had questions about whether we could guarantee that a huge number of places could be made available to them because they are coming in with a movement into our party.”
He also pointed to concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s delay in recognising the party’s national leadership, saying the situation raised doubts during the talks.
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“They also had issues with the fact that INEC deliberately refused to upload our new executive, me and my colleagues, for a long time,” he said.
“I think they were right there that it represented some worry that we had a problem with INEC. So they moved on.”
Obi of the Labour Party and Kwankwaso of the NNPP, who contested the 2023 presidential election, recently joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress after pulling out of the African Democratic Congress coalition.
Obi had blamed worsening internal disputes, outside interference and growing tension within party structures for his exit, insisting his decision was not driven by personal disagreements with party leaders.
Despite missing out on the alliance, Baba-Ahmed said opposition parties would still need to close ranks ahead of 2027.
“We will work together, because I believe that somewhere along the line, all the parties eventually have to pull their energies and resources together,” he said.
