PRP faction rejects Abuja Convention, alleges ADC’s plot to hijack party
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.
Also, 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, stressing that it neither attended the meeting nor endorsed any of its decisions.
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’.
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 criticised 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’s stance punctures the narrative of a broad opposition front ahead of 2027 and raises fresh questions about how coordinated and inclusive the emerging coalition efforts really are.
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 organisers 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 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.
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.
