Datti Defects to PRP, Leaves Labour Party

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed announced on Tuesday that he has left the Labour Party and is moving to the Peoples Redemption Party, citing internal problems in the party, loss of direction and growing pressure on opposition politics as reasons for his decision.

Baba-Ahmed made the announcement during a television programme where he said his resignation from the Labour Party would take effect immediately and that he had chosen the PRP as his new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

His exit marks a fresh political shift within the opposition camp as preparations continue for the next election cycle. Baba-Ahmed, who was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said the Labour Party had moved away from the principles that attracted him to it.

He said disagreements within the party and what he described as external interference had made it difficult for the party to remain on its earlier path. According to him, the situation forced him to review his political future and seek another platform.

The former senator also accused the ruling party of paying too much attention to opposition politics instead of national challenges, saying this had affected the stability of rival political parties.

Explaining his choice of the PRP, Baba-Ahmed said the party has a long political history and offers him a platform he believes can be rebuilt into a stronger force ahead of the next election. He said he intends to work with others in the party to shape its direction and prepare it for the 2027 contest.

He also hinted at plans to support the emergence of a southern candidate on the PRP platform for the presidential race, suggesting the party could become part of wider political realignments before the election.

Though he did not openly declare a presidential ambition, Baba-Ahmed did not shut down speculation about a possible future bid. He pointed to his political and business record, saying he remains fulfilled by his achievements but left room for future possibilities.

His defection adds to recent political movements involving major figures repositioning ahead of 2027, as parties continue to witness alliances, defections and internal changes.

The move is expected to trigger reactions within both the Labour Party and the PRP, especially as opposition parties seek stronger footing in the coming electoral contest. For the PRP, Baba-Ahmed’s arrival could boost its visibility nationally, while his exit may raise fresh questions about unity within the Labour Party.

With the political season gathering pace, his defection has become another sign that the struggle for alliances and platforms ahead of 2027 is already underway.