2027: Northern Politician Sends Critical Message To Tinubu To Step Aside 

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a prominent political figure from the North, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider any plans to run for the presidency in 2027.

He emphasized that Nigeria would benefit from a younger and more energetic candidate to lead the nation moving forward.

Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum and most recently as a senior aide to the Vice President, shared his insights during a televised interview.

His statements have ignited new discussions regarding the future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the sentiments within the northern political community as the next general election approaches.

In the interview, Baba-Ahmed expressed his dissatisfaction with President Tinubu’s leadership approach, noting that despite Tinubu’s extensive political experience, it has not effectively addressed the urgent governance challenges facing Nigeria.

He pointed out that the president’s previously esteemed reputation as a master strategist has not manifested in the current management of national affairs.

“I’m sorry, but I have to say this again. When I left his administration, one of the things I told many people was, ‘I wish President Tinubu would not run again in 2027,’” he said.

Baba-Ahmed recalled Tinubu’s long-standing ambition and suggested that having achieved the office he sought for many years, he should now prioritise the country’s larger interest. He added:

“First, he said his ambition was to be president, and he has now achieved that. He said, ‘emi lokan’, and he had his turn. But I don’t think he has run the country well.

“The Tinubu we used to know, the Tinubu with all this brilliant intelligence for scheming, hasn’t shown that same hunger to fix things.”

Baba-Ahmed insisted that the president should actively support a younger and more vibrant successor from his own party, someone he described as “a healthier person” and “a more focused person.”

He argued that the APC has enough competent individuals who can take on the responsibility if Tinubu is willing to lead the transition.

“He should find a replacement within his party, a younger person, a healthier person, a more focused person, and make him his candidate,” he said.

He further questioned the administration’s response to national emergencies and noted that Nigeria’s problems have worsened to a point where business-as-usual leadership cannot continue.

“Let’s go back to this Trump thing — I didn’t see a president who should respond to an emergency or a challenge in this manner, with the manner and spirit that he should. I didn’t see it. And it’s not just on this issue.

“The truth is that Nigeria has deteriorated so badly that we cannot continue to run things as if they’re normal.”