Kwankwaso Fires Back at PRP Chairman Over 2027 Presidential Ticket Claim

Fresh political tension has erupted ahead of the 2027 elections after the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) claimed that Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso demanded automatic presidential tickets during failed talks to join the party.

The allegation, made by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has now triggered a sharp response from the Kwankwasiyya Movement, which dismissed the claims as attention-seeking and politically motivated.

Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed said discussions between the PRP and the two opposition figures collapsed after disagreements over conditions for joining the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso approached the PRP for possible collaboration, but negotiations stalled after both politicians allegedly requested guaranteed access to the party’s presidential ticket without internal contest.

“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.

The PRP chairman insisted that the party rejected the proposal because it would violate its internal democratic process and constitutional guidelines.

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

Baba-Ahmed explained that the party advised both politicians to formally join first before declaring interest in any elective office.

“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 queried.

Reacting to the claims, the Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected the allegations and accused the PRP chairman of trying to attract public attention. The group maintained that the narrative being pushed by Baba-Ahmed did not reflect what transpired during political consultations.

Efforts to get an official reaction from Obi as of press time were unsuccessful.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing opposition realignments ahead of 2027, as major political figures continue consultations and coalition talks aimed at challenging the ruling establishment.