Former vice-presidential candidate cites internal crisis and ideological shift as reasons for exit ahead of evolving political realignments.
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has announced his defection from the party to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), marking a significant development in the country’s opposition politics.
Baba-Ahmed disclosed his decision during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating that his resignation would take effect at midnight before formally joining the PRP.
He attributed his departure to internal disagreements within the Labour Party, alleging that the party has strayed from its founding ideals. According to him, certain developments within the party made it increasingly difficult for him to remain.
“I am leaving the Labour Party… what the party stood for then is no longer what it is today,” he said during the interview, while confirming the PRP as his new political destination.
Baba-Ahmed also highlighted the historical legacy of the PRP, describing it as a party with deep ideological roots and a long-standing presence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
His exit comes amid ongoing internal tensions within the Labour Party, which has faced leadership disputes and shifting alliances following the 2023 general elections. Analysts say the move reflects broader political realignments as parties and key figures begin positioning ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in 2023, gained national prominence during a campaign that attracted significant youth support and disrupted traditional party dominance, despite not securing victory at the polls.
Details are still emerging regarding the full implications of his defection and potential impact on opposition dynamics.
The move signals fresh shifts within Nigeria’s political space, as attention gradually turns toward new alliances ahead of future elections.