Former LP vice presidential candidate cites internal rifts and loss of party ideals as he makes dramatic switch ahead of future elections

Former Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has officially resigned from the party and joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), in a move that is already reshaping political conversations ahead of Nigeria’s next election cycle.

According to Channels Television on April 29, 2026, Baba-Ahmed personally confirmed the defection, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision driven by deep concerns over the party’s direction.

He said the Labour Party has strayed from the founding ideals that once inspired millions of Nigerians, particularly during the 2023 general elections. Internal disagreements and unresolved tensions within the party, he noted, ultimately forced his exit.

Baba-Ahmed was one of the most prominent faces of the Labour Party’s 2023 campaign, riding the wave of the Obidient movement that propelled the party into national relevance. His departure now signals a significant crack in that coalition, raising fresh questions about the party’s unity and future strength.

His new political platform, the PRP, is one of Nigeria’s longstanding parties with deep roots in progressive politics, especially in the northern region. Observers say his entry could revive the party’s national visibility and alter political alignments in the months ahead.

In recent months, Baba-Ahmed had openly expressed dissatisfaction with developments within the Labour Party. His defection now formalizes those grievances and marks a decisive break from a movement he once helped lead.

For the Labour Party, the loss of such a high-profile figure is a major setback that could prove difficult to manage quietly, particularly as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of upcoming elections.

Reactions have begun pouring in across the country, with Nigerians sharply divided over the implications of his move — and what it means for the future of opposition politics.