RismadarVoice Reporters, June 3, 2026
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has defended his decision to leave the Labour Party and join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), insisting that his political future is independent of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Obi in the 2023 presidential election, said he chose not to follow the former Anambra State governor into a new opposition coalition because he believed the Labour Party’s internal crisis should have been resolved rather than abandoned.
Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, the former senator said many expected him to align with Obi’s new political direction but he opted for a different course based on principle.
“They thought I would follow Peter Obi, but I had given enough sympathy then and I thought as a leader, what he should do then is to solve the problem out,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed questioned the logic of leaving one political platform over internal disputes only to join another party that could face similar challenges.
“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think the Nwosu or the David Mark of the ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think the chairman of Seriake’s party, NDC, will not be a problem? It’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem; let’s work together, and he decided to move,” he stated.
He stressed that his refusal to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside Obi was informed by convictions he had consistently maintained.
“With due respect, Peter Obi does not own my politics, he does not own me. I am independent,” Baba-Ahmed said.
According to him, he communicated his position directly to Obi and chose to pursue his political ambitions through a different platform.
“And I said, alright sir. I have different reasons for joining you. If you want to move, go ahead. I gave my cogent and logical reason for not joining the ADC, all of which have come through,” he added.
The remarks come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition leaders continue to explore alliances and new platforms in their bid to challenge the ruling APC.
Baba-Ahmed’s move to the PRP signals a growing divergence among key opposition figures who were united during the 2023 presidential contest, highlighting differing views on the most effective strategy for the next electoral cycle.
