‘Conditions Were Too Much’ — PRP Explains Failed Obi, Kwankwaso Collaboration.

reports that Baba-Ahmed made this known during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, where he said both Obi and Kwankwaso had initially expressed interest in working with the PRP, with discussions advancing to the point of considering a formal committee to continue negotiations.

According to him, one of the major sticking points was the demand that they be assured the party’s presidential ticket without internal contest, a request the PRP leadership rejected.

He said the party insisted that both politicians must first officially join the PRP and go through its established democratic processes before seeking any elective position.

Baba-Ahmed explained: “They came and said they wanted to join the PRP, but when we sat down and discussed with them, there were certain demands they made.

“Before they joined, they told us that they were the presidential candidates, meaning they should be given the ticket. We told them no, this is PRP; we do not practice that kind of politics.

“I told them: first come into the party. After joining, you can then tell me, ‘I am Obi and I want to run for President,’ and ‘I am Kwankwaso and I want to be his running mate.’

“But for you to come even before a decision is made and ask us to guarantee you the ticket without opposition if you are truly strong contenders, then why fear competition?”

He added that while the PRP recognised the political strength and influence of both men, the party could not bypass its constitution or internal democratic procedures.

The PRP chairman further revealed that the camps of the two politicians also requested a large share of party positions, citing their expected supporters.

Baba-Ahmed said the party was open to inclusion but insisted that formal membership must come first before any negotiations on positions.

He also noted that concerns about the PRP’s status on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, as well as internal party disputes, contributed to the breakdown of talks.

According to him, “They said when they checked the INEC portal, they could not find our party’s name there, which has been addressed. But they also heard some people falsely claiming to be PRP members, which they felt could create confusion if they joined the party. We told them we are doing our best to address that too.

“We wished each other well and parted peacefully there was no quarrel or fight.”