Why We Rejected Obi, Kwankwaso In  PRP When They Approached Us – Nat. Chair, Baba-Ahmed

By Ayodele Oni

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, has revealed that former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, first made an attempt to join the party.

He explained that they came with conditions one of which was automatic presidential ticket of the party.

Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed revealed that discussions between the PRP and the two politicians broke down after disagreements over conditions for joining the party.

According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso initially approached the PRP for possible collaboration and negotiations progressed to the point where a committee was proposed to continue talks.

“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.

The PRP chairman revealed that one of the major issues was the request by both politicians to secure the party’s presidential ticket without facing internal opposition.

“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 stated that the party insisted that Obi and Kwankwaso must first formally join the PRP and follow its laid-down procedures before seeking any elective position.

“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 admitted that the PRP leadership acknowledged the political influence and support base of both men, but maintained that the party could not violate its constitution and internal democratic procedure.

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

He further disclosed that the camps of the two politicians also requested a significant number of party positions because of the supporters they intended 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 said that concerns over the party’s status on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal and internal disputes within the party contributed to the collapse of the talks.