By Agbafo Ijeoma
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has said it is open to discussions on the formation of an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections but will not compromise its ideology, identity and core principles. The National Chairman of the party, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this in Kaduna, saying PRP was already part of the coalition in principle and believed opposition parties should combine their strengths and resources to build a stronger platform.
Baba-Ahmed said the emerging coalition must have a clear identity and present Nigerians with concrete solutions to insecurity, poverty and national divisions, rather than being formed solely to replace the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration. He said about six or seven active opposition parties were currently collaborating, with more parties potentially joining the arrangement.
The chairman, however, said PRP would withdraw from the coalition if its policies, principles, identity or strategy conflicted with the party’s core values. He also acknowledged scepticism surrounding previous opposition coalitions, noting that the current arrangement was being developed with lessons from past experiences and existing political realities.
Baba-Ahmed said PRP was prepared to consider sacrificing its presidential ambition if doing so would strengthen the opposition platform, provided the terms made the sacrifice worthwhile. He said the party had an “excellent” presidential candidate in former Cross River Governor Donald Duke, but could support another candidate if such an arrangement provided a stronger basis for opposition collaboration.
