April 29, (THEWILL) — The Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has announced his resignation from the party and his decision to join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
He cited internal disagreements, leadership tensions, and what he described as a departure from the Labour Party’s founding ideals.
The announcement came as the Labour Party simultaneously moved to rebuild internal unity by lifting the suspension placed on 26 members during its national convention held in Umuahia, Abia State, in what observers described as a major reconciliation effort ahead of the 2027 general election.
Datti disclosed his decision on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke extensively on the state of the party and the circumstances that informed his exit.
“I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow. There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party, was when they posted back. They redeployed someone with a specific purpose, and because of the antecedent of the individual to make life difficult, particularly for me. What the Labour Party stood for then is no longer what it is today,” he said.
Confirming his next political destination, Datti added: “I am leaving the Labour Party at midnight, and I am joining PRP. PRP is the new destination. PRP is the one with a history. It’s about 75 years old.”
Datti ran alongside former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on the party’s presidential ticket. Obi had earlier resigned from the LP to join the opposition coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Their resignation marked one of the most significant defections involving a senior figure of the Labour Party since the conclusion of the 2023 general election.
The Obi-Datti campaign emerged as one of the most influential political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting widespread youth participation, urban voter mobilisation, and significant support from Nigerians seeking an alternative to the country’s traditional political establishment.
Since the elections, the party has struggled with persistent internal disputes, factional divisions, leadership controversies, and legal battles that have threatened cohesion within its ranks.
The Peoples Redemption Party, remains one of Nigeria’s oldest political parties and traces its ideological roots to the political philosophy of the late Mallam Aminu Kano.
Founded in 1978, the PRP became known for its progressive political orientation, grassroots mobilisation, and advocacy for social justice, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
The party continues to project itself as a platform committed to pro-people governance and populist ideals.
Meanwhile, in what appeared to be a parallel effort to stabilise the party and restore internal confidence, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee ratified the reinstatement of 26 suspended members during its national convention at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.
The decision was unanimously endorsed by delegates from across the country through a voice vote during the convention proceedings.
Among those reinstated are prominent party figures including Hilda Dokubo, Emmanuel Agida, Abayomi Arabambi, Ogar Osim, Muhammed Aliyu, Casmir Uchenna, Airen Igbinedion, Auwal Ahmed, and 18 others.
Chairman of the elective convention, Ginger Onwusibe, formally announced the ratification following delegates’ approval.
Speaking after the decision, the newly elected National Chairman of the Labour Party, Esther Nenadi-Usman, described the move as part of broader efforts to promote reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity within the party after months of internal tension and factional disagreements.
According to her, the party leadership remains committed to rebuilding trust among members and repositioning the Labour Party as a formidable opposition platform capable of sustaining the momentum generated during the 2023 elections.
In another significant development at the convention, veteran actress and politician, Hilda Dokubo, who was among those reinstated, was elected as the party’s National Women Leader.
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