Peter Obi's Running Mate Quits Labour Party for PRP Amid Internal Wrangling

In a significant political development, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, the vice presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has declared his intention to leave the LP and join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). This move signals a deepening internal crisis within the LP, which has struggled to maintain unity since the last general elections.

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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.

Baba-Ahmed articulated his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Labour Party, stating that it has strayed from its foundational principles due to internal conflicts. His departure, particularly his decision to join the PRP, a party with a historical legacy in Nigerian politics, suggests a strategic realignment aimed at finding a more stable and ideologically aligned platform.

Beyond his party switch, Baba-Ahmed also voiced strong criticisms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He decried the alleged push for a one-party system and condemned the government's performance, particularly concerning the nation's security challenges. His comments reflect a broader opposition sentiment regarding the APC's governance.

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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.

The political landscape in Nigeria is dynamic, and shifts like these are not uncommon. However, Baba-Ahmed's move is noteworthy as he was a prominent figure alongside Peter Obi. His exit and subsequent joining of the PRP could potentially reshape alliances and strategies among opposition parties as they prepare for future elections. The PRP, with its historical roots, might offer a different kind of platform for Baba-Ahmed's political aspirations, distinct from the more recent emergence of the LP.

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He denounced the alleged move by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist a one-party state in Nigeria. He said the country has not made meaningful progress under the APC leadership.