Former Political Adviser to the President in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on his resignation, stating that he had no meaningful role within the Bola Tinubu administration and warning Nigerians to be cautious ahead of the 2027 elections. Baba-Ahmed, a former Publicity Secretary of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and a long-standing critic of poor governance, said despite offering his best efforts during his service, he found himself sidelined and disconnected from the core decision-making processes of the administration.
Reflecting on his time in office, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that although he did his job diligently, the administration failed to leverage his experience and expertise in policy design, implementation, monitoring, and community engagement. According to him, those in positions to advise and guide the government were either not of the calibre needed for the challenges the country faced or were unable to influence the leadership meaningfully. He said he soon realized that his advice was neither sought nor valued, and that many critical decisions were taken without proper consultation or attention to the realities on the ground. Rather than remain ineffective within the system, he chose to step aside, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve while also registering his disappointment at the administration’s failure to learn from the shortcomings of its predecessor.
Baba-Ahmed clarified that contrary to interpretations of his open letter to the President, he did not accuse the government of ignoring specific pieces of advice he offered. Instead, he stressed that the leadership structure was largely closed off from sound, informed counsel. He criticized the current administration’s obsession with orchestrating political defections from parties and individuals who had contributed to Nigeria’s decline, warning that such a strategy would only compound the country’s already overwhelming challenges. According to him, welcoming political figures who had previously failed the nation into the ruling party amounts to a grave error, and instead of strengthening the party, it further erodes public confidence and burdens the system with more liabilities.
He called for a complete reassessment of the government’s approach to governance, urging President Tinubu and his team to recognize the gravity of Nigeria’s situation and focus on practical solutions rather than public relations stunts. Baba-Ahmed advised that President Tinubu must actively search for younger, visionary, and more energetic Nigerians who are committed to rebuilding the country. He emphasized that the future belongs to a new generation of leaders and that those who have historically mismanaged Nigeria’s resources and opportunities must step aside. He urged the administration to prioritize competence, knowledge, and passion over political expediency if it hopes to leave a lasting legacy.
On the subject of political coalitions being formed ahead of the 2027 elections, Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he has no interest in associating with any alliance composed of political actors responsible for the country’s woes. He described himself not as a career politician but as a lifelong public servant and technocrat who has consistently critiqued poor leadership. He expressed skepticism about the motives behind some of the emerging political movements, arguing that many of the individuals involved are merely seeking another chance to perpetuate the same patterns of misrule under new banners. He stated firmly that he would not participate in any effort that does not represent genuine change or is built on the same broken foundations that have kept Nigeria in a cycle of failure.
As Nigeria approaches the crucial 2027 general elections, Baba-Ahmed issued a passionate appeal to citizens to remain vigilant and discerning. He described the upcoming elections as a turning point that will determine whether the nation continues on a path of decline or begins the difficult but necessary journey toward renewal and reconstruction. He warned Nigerians against being manipulated by divisive narratives centered around ethnicity, region, or religion, stressing that all Nigerians, regardless of background, have suffered equally from the failures of leadership over the past twelve years — encompassing the Buhari years and now the Tinubu administration.
According to him, the current political elite, many of whom are maneuvering for continued relevance, do not deserve the trust of the people. Instead, Nigerians must demand new leadership committed to tackling insecurity, poverty, and the erosion of national unity. He called for a national reawakening where competence, integrity, and vision become the minimum requirements for leadership, not political convenience or old loyalties.
Baba-Ahmed concluded by reiterating that Nigeria’s survival depends on the choices Nigerians make in 2027, and urged the electorate not to hand the country back to those who have consistently failed it. He stressed that the future of Nigeria belongs to its citizens, not the recycled politicians who have long lost the mandate to lead.
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