Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has disclosed that the party turned down requests for automatic presidential ticket allegedly made by former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
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Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed said the party maintained its internal democratic principles and could not concede its presidential ticket to any aspirant without a competitive process.
Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed said the party maintained its internal democratic principles and could not concede its presidential ticket to any aspirant without a competitive process.
Recall that Obi and Kwankwaso recently dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), following internal crisis in the former.
The two politicians had reportedly approached the PRP before finally joining the NDC.
“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He stressed that the PRP constitution does not allow automatic tickets, noting that aspirants must participate in internal primaries. He added that the request, which reportedly sought special consideration for automatic emergence as the party’s presidential flag bearer, was not in line with PRP’s ideology and structure.
Baba-Ahmed said discussions between both camps collapsed after disagreements over conditions for joining, including demands for automatic presidential tickets without competition.
According to him, the politicians initially sought a committee-based negotiation but insisted they should be adopted as the party’s flagbearers. He added that both camps also requested key party positions and raised concerns about the party’s status on the INEC portal.
The PRP leadership, however, assured them that all internal issues would be addressed, but insisted due process must be followed. Baba-Ahmed said the talks ended peacefully, with both sides parting without conflict despite the high-profile nature of the discussions.
He maintained that PRP remains committed to internal democracy and will not compromise its constitution for any aspirant ahead elections.
