Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as the vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party in 2023, has announced his departure from the party to join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, he explained that internal conflicts and a shift in the party’s core values prompted his decision.
He noted that the environment within the party changed significantly following certain personnel changes, stating, “I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow [wednesday]. There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party, was when they posted back. They redeployed someone with a specific purpose, and because of the antecedent of the individual to make life difficult, particularly for me. What the Labour Party stood for then is no longer what it is today.”
The move marks a transition to the PRP, a party with deep historical roots in Nigeria’s progressive movements. Highlighting his timeline for the switch, Baba-Ahmed said, “I am leaving the Labour Party [at] midnight, and I am joining PRP. PRP is the new destination. PRP is the one with a history. It’s about 75 years old.”
He expressed a strong belief that the PRP could become a formidable alternative to the current ruling party if it is organized effectively.
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Reflecting on the national political landscape, Baba-Ahmed voiced concerns about the All Progressives Congress and its perceived efforts to dismantle the opposition.
He argued that the government should prioritize “improving security and the economy,” rather than political maneuvering, adding that citizens have yet to witness true “progress” under the current administration.
He pointed to high-profile security failures, such as the deaths of top military officers, as evidence that the nation’s resources are not being properly utilized to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
Looking toward the 2027 elections, Baba-Ahmed emphasized the need for a presidential challenger with an unblemished reputation, specifically one untainted by corruption or electoral fraud.
While he characterized the idea of a single, unified opposition candidate as “impossible,” he spoke favorably about potential collaborations involving figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
He concluded by calling on credible individuals to enter the political arena and urged the public to stop enabling bad leadership by failing to demand accountability.
