Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has resigned from his position as Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu.
According to sources within the presidency, Baba-Ahmed tendered his resignation approximately two weeks ago. While he did not disclose specific reasons for his decision, he cited personal grounds as the basis for his departure. It remains unclear whether the presidency has formally accepted his resignation.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed to his advisory role in September 2023, serving in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima. His tenure in the administration, however, was not without controversy. At various points, his political stance and statements drew criticism, notably from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Matawalle had indirectly targeted Baba-Ahmed in a statement urging northern appointees in Tinubu’s government not to remain silent in the face of perceived intimidation or misrepresentation of the administration. This remark followed Baba-Ahmed’s criticism of Matawalle for dismissing the Northern Elders Forum as a “political paperweight.”
The disagreement stemmed from NEF’s assertion that the North had made a mistake in supporting President Tinubu in the 2023 elections. The statement from NEF had generated significant political discourse, prompting reactions from various stakeholders within the government and beyond.
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Baba-Ahmed’s resignation marks a notable shift within the political landscape, given his long-standing influence in northern political affairs and governance. While his next steps remain uncertain, his departure raises questions about the evolving political dynamics within the administration. Many are speculating whether Baba-Ahmed could align with other political forces in the North to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, as the political elite’s alignment with the current government remains fluid.
Observers will be watching closely to see if Baba-Ahmed’s resignation signals broader discontent within northern political circles or if it remains an isolated decision based on personal considerations
