BREAKING: If Anybody Thinks We Are Part Of Gang Up To Resuce Votes Of Tinubu; They Should Count PRP Out — Ahmed

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Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, June 4, 2026, National Leader of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed the concept of rotational presidency in Nigeria, arguing that it has contributed to political polarization and weakened national unity.

Baba-Ahmed said political choices in Nigeria are often influenced by perceptions of exclusion and electoral manipulation, regardless of party strength or candidate quality. “In 2023, in 2019, many northerners protested against the election of President Buhari. They wouldn’t listen to him. So this is where we are,” he said.

He added that political parties often face public skepticism over their intentions when selecting candidates, noting that Nigerians frequently interpret such decisions through the lens of political advantage rather than merit.

“All this business, no matter how good a party is, people look at their candidates and say, ah, they are trying to make sure that this person doesn’t win,” he stated.

Baba-Ahmed stressed that the PRP would continue to prioritize competence over regional considerations in selecting its candidates, insisting that leadership suitability should not be tied to geographical origin. “PRP will field a candidate that we believe is good enough, no matter where he comes from, no matter where he comes from,” he said.

He further warned that any perception that the PRP is involved in a political alliance aimed at influencing the electoral outcome against President Bola Tinubu should be dismissed. “If anybody thinks we are part of a gang up to reduce the votes of President Tinubu, because other parties are fielded in the southern part of the country, they should count PRP out,” he said.

The PRP leader reaffirmed his party’s commitment to national unity, while criticizing the practice of zoning and power rotation, which he described as harmful to Nigeria’s political development. “PRP believes in the unity of this country. It believes that rotation is damaging and dangerous to our country,” he stated.

He argued that rotational politics does not strengthen national cohesion but instead deepens divisions among citizens and political actors. “It doesn’t improve unity. All it does is that it polarizes us. It reminds us that we are parts, not one country,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also warned that the system encourages mediocrity in leadership selection and limits equal participation across regions. “It creates mediocre leadership. It isolates parts of the country from participating in the leadership selection,” he said.

He concluded by rejecting the idea of entitlement-based political succession, stating that it undermines democratic values and national progress. “This is our turn. It’s our turn. It’s horrible. It has damaged this country beyond what people think and we will not be part of this,” he said.