The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that opposition parties must remain vigilant as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was just as he alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress is not innocent of “playing dirty.”
Baba-Ahmed, a former Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, stated this on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time.
He said the opposition could not afford to be complacent ahead of the elections, noting that several opposition parties were already battling legal disputes and internal factionalisation that could affect their participation in the polls.
“The APC is not innocent when it comes to playing dirty. We, the opposition, don’t sleep with both eyes closed,” Baba-Ahmed said.
According to him, about five or six of the eight opposition political parties have ongoing court cases, while some others have been factionalised.
“There are about eight political parties, and five or six of them have court cases. Some have been factionalised, and at this point, we don’t know if some candidates will be on the ballot or not,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed said the legal battles and divisions within opposition parties had created uncertainty over which factions would eventually participate in the elections.
“Too many political parties in the opposition are limping from legal issues and factionalisation. Which faction is going to be there? And so, we learnt our lesson very quickly.
“It was better to put forward only a candidate we are sure can survive all the legal hurdles. So, we think these issues are behind us now,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PRP chairman has also joined other opposition coalition leaders in consultations with former vice president and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as efforts to consolidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections continue.
Baba-Ahmed was part of a delegation that visited Atiku at his residence on Tuesday and also met members of his campaign council.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, the party said the meeting was part of efforts by coalition leaders to broaden and strengthen cooperation among opposition parties.
The statement described the engagement as a source of “tremendous inspiration” to the delegation, adding that the coalition intended to hold consultations with other opposition party leaders and candidates.
It said the coalition leaders and other prospective members recognised the need to strengthen the alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Leaders of coalition parties, as well as others interested in joining, recognise the need to broaden and strengthen the coalition’s capacity to defeat the APC in 2027 and give Nigeria a new lease on life,” the statement said.
Baba-Ahmed also condemned the reported arrest of five youths in Maiduguri, Borno State, over T-shirts bearing political messages, including “Tinubu Must Go.”
According to reports citing a police First Information Report, the suspects were allegedly arrested over offences including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.
The police reportedly alleged that the men were producing and wearing the shirts around West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.
Reacting to the arrests, Baba-Ahmed said the coalition would take up the matter, insisting that citizens should not be subjected to political restrictions over their expressions.
“The reported arrest in Borno State of young people wearing T-shirts bearing political messages is unequivocally condemned.
“The coalition will take up the matter. Nigeria must not become a country where citizens are treated as hostages and released only when political conditions are met,” he said.
Borno State chapter of the ADC had earlier condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of the five men, describing the T-shirts as an expression of political opinion.