A faction of the People's Redemption Party (PRP) has rejected the outcome of a recent convention reportedly held in Abuja, describing it as a “sham” and accusing a rival group of attempting to hijack the party for elite interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PRP-Vanguard Collective Voices Opposition
Addressing a press conference in Kano yesterday, the faction operating under the PRP-Vanguard Collective faulted the emergence of a new national chairman by the “Falalu faction,” insisting that the exercise contravened the party’s constitution and ideological foundation. The group’s National Chairman, Abdulmajid Daudu, specifically criticized Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, whom he claimed was never a member of the PRP, but is now “purporting to preside over its affairs.”
He alleged that the new leadership had begun courting “discredited politicians” from other opposition platforms, a move he described as a betrayal of the party’s socialist orientation. The group vowed to reject any attempt by the coalition of African Democratic Congress (ADC) to forcefully hijack the leadership of the party, insisting the “party is not for sale.”
Accord Party Distances Itself from Coalition
The Accord Party yesterday said it was not part of a coalition meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 14 parties reportedly agreed to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. It stressed that it neither attended the meeting nor endorsed any of its decisions. The party made its position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, for the leadership led by Maxwell Mgbudem.
It stated: “It is imprudent and unjust to include a political party in a coalition it was not a part of. Accord is not aware of the coalition meeting and did not send any member to represent it, let alone endorse the resolutions reached, including fielding a joint candidate in the 2027 presidential election.”
It also faulted the organizers for listing its name among participants despite the absence of its national leadership. “Accordingly, the Mgbuden leadership of Accord dissociates itself from the Ibadan political summit and warns politicians to desist from any action that will heat up the polity ahead of the 2027 polls,” Accord said.
ADC Backs Makinde Over 'Operation Wetie' Remark
Meanwhile, African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde following the controversy surrounding his recent “Operation Wetie” remark, saying only intending election riggers fear ‘Operation Wetie.’ ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in his X post, defended Makinde, arguing that his comments were intended as a cautionary reference to history rather than a call for violence.
Makinde’s reference to Operation Wetie, during last weekend’s opposition summit in Ibadan, sparked debate across political circles. Operation Wetie (meaning ‘wet him/her’) was a violent protest that took place in Western Nigeria between violent political factions during the First Republic. However, Abdullahi, in his post, said critics twisting the governor’s words were ignoring the broader message about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and preventing political instability.
Reform Agenda and Coalition Framework
Speaking on the development while featuring as a guest on Arise TV’s The Morning Show yesterday, Lukman Salihu, a key figure and promoter of the party’s reform agenda, said the framework was designed to promote collective decision-making and prevent the concentration of power in one individual.
