Former National Vice Chairman (South) of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the party’s 2024 governorship candidate, Babatunde Francis Alli, has firmly dismissed claims that he defected from the party, clarifying instead that he voluntarily resigned after deep reflection on the party’s internal dynamics and direction.
Speaking during an interview, Alli stated unequivocally that his exit from the PRP was a deliberate and principled decision, taken after formally submitting his resignation letter.
“I didn’t decamp. I like to correct that statement. I first resigned from PRP. I wrote my letter, submitted it, and waited. Exactly last Saturday, I dropped my letter of resignation with the party. The reasons are clearly contained in that letter,” he said.
Providing insight into his decision, Alli pointed to what he described as structural imbalances and a lack of inclusivity within the party, particularly criticizing what he perceived as a pattern of regional dominance in leadership.
“In the view of some of us, the party has produced national chairmen consecutively from one side of the nation. In essence, it has become regionalized. The incumbent chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, is someone I respect, but his leadership style is not one I am willing to operate under,” he explained.
He further emphasized that modern political parties must reflect diversity and create inclusive processes that give all stakeholders a sense of belonging.
“Every political party in this nation needs youth involvement and must embrace inclusivity. When processes are overlooked and issues become ethnicized or regionalized, some of us cannot stand by. That was the core reason for my decision,” he added.
Describing his resignation as deeply personal, Alli noted that leaving the PRP was one of the most difficult choices he has made, having never belonged to any other political party prior to now.
“It was the hardest decision of my life. I have never been a member of any other political party. If not for the emergence of the NDC, I probably would have left politics entirely because I had lost interest,” he revealed.
He also took aim at what he described as a growing culture of blame-shifting in Nigeria’s political space, particularly the tendency to attribute internal party failures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Every problem now is blamed on APC. If your internal processes are flawed, why blame another party? This is the problem with leadership in Nigeria, people refuse to take responsibility. Instead of innovating and moving forward, they pass blame. I couldn’t continue in that environment,” Alli stated.
Now aligned with the NDC as a National Ambassador, Alli outlined a bold vision centered on youth mobilization and political awakening ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I have seen in NDC a platform for Nigerian youth to rise and take their rightful place. That is the crusade I intend to lead, with the permission of the national chairman,” he declared.
He lamented what he described as the systemic marginalization of young Nigerians in politics, contrasting it with historical examples of early political participation.
“At age 30, Mallam Aminu Kano was already a key political figure and part of foundational movements. Today, a 30-year-old aspiring for local government leadership is told to wait. Meanwhile, those saying ‘it’s not your time’ are in their 70s seeking the same positions,” he said.
Alli called on Nigerian youths to move beyond social media distractions and engage meaningfully in the political process, stressing their numerical strength as a decisive electoral force.
“In the last election, over 92 million people were registered voters, and about 75 percent are youth. If Nigerian youth decide today, they can determine leadership outcomes. But many are wasting time on trivialities. That must change,” he asserted.
Encouraging civic participation, he urged young Nigerians to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and become active agents of change.
“Prepare yourselves. Register to vote. Stop wasting time. Your counterparts across the world are advancing while you remain distracted. We will continue to tell you the truth, even if it is uncomfortable,” he said.
He also criticized the state of education and governance in Nigeria, referencing prolonged university strikes and what he described as poorly implemented policies.
“This is one of the few countries where universities shut down for months and governance continues as if nothing happened. Universities should be centers of research and innovation, not neglected institutions. Yet policies like subsidy removal are implemented without proper engagement or planning,” he noted.
Alli concluded by reaffirming his commitment to advocating for youth empowerment, structured leadership, and a new political direction through the NDC platform, expressing optimism that a new generation of Nigerians can reshape the country’s future.
