Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has clarified his political stance, insisting that his decisions are independent of former presidential candidate Peter Obi. Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said his move to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) was based on principle and conviction, not loyalty to any individual.

Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, Baba-Ahmed explained that many assumed he would follow Obi into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after the Labour Party’s internal crisis. He rejected that assumption, stressing that his political choices are his own.

“They thought I would follow Peter Obi, but I had given enough sympathy then. As a leader, I believed he should have solved the problem within the Labour Party instead of leaving,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed questioned the logic of abandoning one party due to internal disputes only to join another that could face similar challenges. He argued that political leadership requires fixing problems rather than walking away.

“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think the Nwosu or David Mark of the ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think the chairman of Seriake’s party, NDC, will not be a problem? It’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem,” he stated.

He emphasised that his refusal to join Obi in the ADC was consistent with his principles. “With due respect, Peter Obi does not own my politics, he does not own me. I am independent,” Baba-Ahmed declared.

According to him, he had communicated his reasons directly to Obi, explaining that his decision was not personal but strategic. “I gave my cogent and logical reason for not joining the ADC, all of which have come through,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed’s move to the PRP marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s opposition politics. While the Labour Party and Obi continue to explore new alliances, Baba-Ahmed’s decision underscores divisions within the opposition camp over strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

His remarks highlight the growing realignments among political figures seeking platforms that reflect their values and offer stability. For Baba-Ahmed, the PRP provides a base to pursue his political future without the baggage of unresolved disputes.

The development also signals the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition parties as they attempt to consolidate strength against the ruling APC. Baba-Ahmed’s insistence on independence reflects broader concerns about personality-driven politics and the need for institutional stability.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, his stance adds another layer to the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s political landscape, where alliances are shifting and leaders are redefining their roles.

The House of Representatives has thrown its weight behind veteran Nigerian boxer Bash Ali’s ambition to stage a Guinness World Record Boxing Championship in Nigeria. However, lawmakers made it clear that the project must be financed through private sponsorship rather than government funds.

The resolution came after the House Committee on Public Petitions, chaired by Kwamoti Bitrus, presented its findings on a petition Ali filed against the National Sports Commission. Ali alleged that officials had sabotaged his efforts and created administrative hurdles that stalled the project for years.

Ali, a former World Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion, has been campaigning for more than two decades to stage the Guinness World Record fight. At 70, he hopes to become the oldest boxer in history to compete in a professional championship bout. His dream has survived multiple administrations, but repeated disputes with sports authorities have kept the project in limbo.

Presenting the committee’s report, Bitrus explained that Ali accused the National Sports Commission of frustrating his plans through bureaucratic delays and lack of cooperation. After reviewing the petition, the committee recommended that Ali pursue the project strictly as a privately funded initiative.

The House adopted the recommendation, stressing that while government agencies should provide regulatory and logistical support, they must not assume financial responsibility. Lawmakers directed the National Sports Commission to ensure a fair and transparent process in granting approvals, providing access to facilities, and coordinating with security agencies.

According to the resolution, relevant government institutions may offer non-financial assistance such as security, protocol coordination, and international liaison when formally requested. However, such support must not create financial obligations for the government.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission to clearly define the boundaries of government involvement in privately organised international sporting events. Lawmakers said this would prevent future disputes and ensure clarity for stakeholders.

For Ali, the decision represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the government will not bankroll the event, the resolution provides a framework for him to seek private sponsorship with the assurance of regulatory cooperation. This could open doors for corporate investors and international partners who may be more willing to support the fight under a transparent structure.

Ali’s career dates back to the 1980s when he rose to prominence as a cruiserweight champion. His proposed Guinness World Record fight has attracted attention globally, not only for its historic significance but also for its potential to spotlight Nigeria as a host for major international sporting events.

Supporters of the veteran boxer believe the House’s decision offers renewed hope. By removing the uncertainty of government funding and clarifying the role of regulatory agencies, the resolution may finally pave the way for Ali to achieve his long-standing ambition.

The development marks a turning point in one of Nigeria’s most enduring sports controversies. For Ali, the path forward now depends on his ability to mobilise private capital and secure the trust of sponsors who share his vision of making history in the boxing ring.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing internal turmoil following allegations of manipulation in its recently concluded primaries in Imo State. The controversy threatens to weaken the party’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former House of Representatives member, Uche Nwole, raised the alarm over what he described as a hijack of the process by powerful interests. Nwole, who represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2003, accused party stakeholders of undermining internal democracy and imposing candidates.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nwole explained that his return to active politics was driven by concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future. He said he joined the NDC because of its vision and leadership, expressing confidence in the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi. However, he warned that the Imo primaries had been compromised.

According to Nwole, the panel sent from the party headquarters to supervise the exercise, led by Chief Babatunde Are, was allegedly prevented from performing its duties. He claimed the panel was influenced by a prominent stakeholder and failed to oversee the primaries, leaving local officials to conduct the process.

He alleged that aspirants mobilised for the primaries, but the panel did not appear at designated venues. Local government party executives stepped in to collate results, which were later submitted through official channels. Those results, however, were reportedly rejected at the national level in favour of what Nwole described as “parallel results.”

The former lawmaker questioned the growing influence of one individual over the party’s affairs in Imo State. He warned that such dominance could erode trust in the NDC and damage its electoral prospects.

“We cannot allow democracy to be hijacked by any individual. Political parties must remain institutions governed by rules and collective decisions, not personal interests,” Nwole said.

He revealed that he and other aspirants had petitioned the party’s national leadership, demanding a review of the primaries and clarification on the legitimacy of the results. The petition alleged that no properly supervised election took place and called for verification of claims that party structures in the state were under the control of a single stakeholder.

Nwole urged the leadership to investigate the conduct of the primaries, ensure due process, and address grievances among aspirants. He warned that failure to resolve the crisis could undermine public confidence in the NDC’s commitment to internal democracy.

He insisted that his intervention was not aimed at destabilising the party but at strengthening it. “Fairness, transparency, and justice are the only ways to sustain confidence among members and the electorate,” he said.

The petition also highlighted concerns that disputed results and parallel submissions could fracture the party’s unity in Imo State. Stakeholders argued that only a transparent process would guarantee credible candidates and preserve the NDC’s relevance in the 2027 elections.

The crisis underscores the broader challenge of internal democracy in Nigerian political parties. As the NDC positions itself as an alternative force ahead of 2027, resolving the Imo primaries dispute will be critical to its credibility and ability to mobilise support nationwide.