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The Labor Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has announced his resignation from the party, confirming plans to join the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
Baba-Ahmed made the announcement on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he outlined the reasons for his departure from the party he represents alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
He attributed his decision to internal divisions within the party, perceived departures from its founding principles, and what he described as external interference in opposition politics.
“They moved someone to come in for a specific purpose, and because of that individual’s antecedents, made life difficult, especially for me. But what the Labor Party stood for then is no longer what it is now,” he said.
The former senator also criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress, accusing it of focusing on weakening opposition parties rather than addressing national challenges.
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“We have a government whose main goal is to destroy other political parties. Rather than fighting insecurity and improving our economy and stopping theft, what is more important is to destroy political parties,” he said.
Confirming the timing of his resignation, Baba-Ahmed stated that his resignation would take effect immediately and named the PRP as his next political platform.
“I will leave the Labor Party tonight, and I will join the PRP. The PRP is a new goal. The PRP has a history. It is around 75 years old,” he said.
He further revealed plans to work within the PRP to produce what he described as “a genuine Southern candidate, most likely Christian” ahead of the 2027 general election.
Responding to speculation about his political ambitions, Baba-Ahmed downplayed the idea of seeking higher office, and instead pointed to his track record in public service and private enterprise.
“At 33, the House of Representatives; at 41, the Senate; a university license, another university license, the largest private hospital in Africa, and much more. Why should I be president or vice president?” he said.
