Baba-Ahmed says Obi and Kwankwaso declined to join the PRP because they had demands.

The NationalChairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, said on Wednesday that the attempts by Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to join the party were unsuccessful.

DAILY POST noted that rumours had circulated about Obi and Kwankwaso abandoning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the PRP, but the two later chose the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) instead.

Commenting on the collapse of the planned defection, Baba‑Ahmed explained that talks between the PRP and the two politicians broke down after disagreements emerged.

He said the disagreement stemmed from the conditions and demands that Obi and Kwankwaso attached to their prospective entry into the party.

“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.

In an interview with DITV Kaduna, Baba‑Ahmed indicated that a major obstacle was the politicians’ request to be assured the party’s presidential ticket without undergoing internal competition.

“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.

“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.