No Automatic Ticket” PRP Opens Up on Obi, Kwankwaso Talks

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has revealed details of failed political talks involving former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a Hausa political programme aired on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed claimed that both politicians had explored the possibility of joining the PRP as part of broader political realignments ahead of the next presidential race. However, according to him, the negotiations eventually collapsed because the two politicians allegedly demanded guarantees over the party’s presidential ticket before formally joining the platform.

The PRP chairman explained that discussions initially began on a cordial note, with both camps expressing interest in working with the party. He said the talks progressed to an advanced stage, including proposals for the formation of committees to continue negotiations and harmonise positions between the parties involved.

According to Baba-Ahmed, the major point of disagreement emerged when Obi and Kwankwaso allegedly insisted that the PRP should hand over its 2027 presidential ticket to them without an internal contest.

“They came and said they wanted to join the PRP, but when we sat down to discuss, they made certain demands,” Baba-Ahmed said during the programme.

He stated that the PRP leadership rejected the request, insisting that the party was founded on internal democracy and constitutional procedures that could not be ignored for any individual, no matter how influential.

“Before they joined, they told us they were presidential candidates and that they should be given the ticket. We told them clearly that PRP does not practise that kind of politics,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed stressed that the party insisted Obi and Kwankwaso must first become full members of the PRP before expressing interest in any elective office.

“I told them: first come into the party. After joining, you can then say, ‘I am Obi and I want to contest for President,’ or ‘I am Kwankwaso and I want to be his running mate.’ But for you to come before any decision is made and ask for a guaranteed ticket without opposition, then it raises questions. If you are truly strong contenders, why fear competition?” he asked.

The PRP chairman noted that the party recognised the political weight and nationwide followership of both politicians, especially considering their performances in previous elections and their growing popularity among opposition supporters. Nevertheless, he said the PRP could not sacrifice its principles and internal democratic process simply to attract prominent political figures.

“We understood their political value. Anyone who sees Obi and Kwankwaso together would know they are strong political forces. But we cannot abandon our party’s constitution because of that,” Baba-Ahmed added.

He further alleged that the camps of both politicians also demanded significant control of party structures and leadership positions because of the large number of supporters they intended to bring into the PRP.

“They also requested many positions within the party because they claimed they had large followings. We told them that was not a problem, but they should first join the party officially before discussions about positions could begin,” he said.

The comments by Baba-Ahmed come amid increasing political realignments and coalition talks among opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.

However, the claims were swiftly dismissed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the political structure loyal to Kwankwaso, which described Baba-Ahmed’s remarks as baseless and attention-seeking.

Reacting to the allegations, the spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, denied knowledge of any formal agreement or meeting where Kwankwaso or Obi demanded an automatic presidential ticket from the PRP.

According to him, it was actually the PRP that publicly appealed to opposition politicians, including Obi and Kwankwaso, to join its platform.

“I believe every Nigerian familiar with the political situation knows that the PRP, through its national chairman, publicly invited Peter Obi, my principal, and even members of the opposition coalition to move into the PRP,” Mohammed said.

He explained that beyond those public appeals, he was unaware of any direct negotiations where either Obi or Kwankwaso requested special treatment or automatic candidacy.

“I’m not aware of any official meeting involving my principal, Peter Obi, and the PRP where they demanded to be given the presidential ticket,” he said.

Mohammed also questioned the motive behind Baba-Ahmed’s statements, accusing some politicians