Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, National Chairman of the People's Redemption Party (PRP), announced the resolution of internal party conflicts following a meeting with PRP elders in Kaduna on Thursday. The gathering, held at the party's national secretariat, brought together long-serving members and current leadership to address longstanding divisions. Baba Ahmed described the discussions as productive, acknowledging past problems while affirming the party's commitment to unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stated that the meeting was initiated by concerned elders who sought to engage the national chairman directly. "This is the meeting of PRP elders, some concerned elders who requested to meet with me as national chairman," Baba Ahmed said. "It has been a very productive meeting. There have been massive problems in the past in the party. Our effort here is to try and resolve these problems, either in one sitting or on a gradual basis."
Baba Ahmed emphasized efforts to reintegrate sidelined members and build consensus across the party. "A number of people are aware of the fact that some PRP members have been left behind, but we are now building a consensus around how we can solve this problem," he said. He affirmed the party's readiness to contest the 2027 polls, alone or in alliance, adding, "We believe we stand a very good chance of forming a government."
Alhaji Shehu Isa Kaita, a longtime PRP member and elder statesman, confirmed that many veteran members had been excluded from party affairs despite decades of service. "For some time we were not involved in running affairs of the party despite the fact that we carried the party for more than 20 years," Kaita said. He credited the current leadership for reaching out and creating space for elders. "Now that we have seen his desire for progress in the party, we are willing and ready to inform our people that the PRP is set to move forward," he added.
Kaita attributed past divisions to actions by former leaders who allegedly neglected active members. "Many active people in the party were neglected, but we never formed a faction," he said. "Now, that era is over. We will participate fully in all party activities because we have now seen the willingness to accommodate us."
Baba Ahmed now leads a "united" PRP, yet his call for inclusion follows years during which he oversaw the marginalisation of the very elders now being welcomed back. The same members who kept the party alive through decades of irrelevance are only being consulted now, ahead of an election cycle. Their return on terms set by the current leadership suggests reconciliation serves immediate political survival more than ideological renewal. If the PRP's revival depends on reactivating sidelined veterans, questions remain about who truly controls its direction.
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