2027: Step Aside for Younger Nigerians, Baba-Ahmed Tells Tinubu
Former presidential adviser, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, urging him to give way for a younger generation to lead Nigeria with renewed energy and ideas.
In an open letter obtained by Daily Trust on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed appealed to Tinubu to prioritise legacy over ambition by stepping aside at the end of his current tenure.
“Step aside—not for your opponents, but for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas,” he wrote.
He stated that President Tinubu’s decision to withdraw from the 2027 race could be a “masterstroke” that would spark a historic political transition and inspire a culture of leadership rooted in merit and unity.
The former adviser said Tinubu holds the power to ease the suffering of the average Nigerian and should not let his legacy be defined by political ambition.
“You hold what your opposition lacks: the power to reduce the harshness of life for the average Nigerian. Use it well. Watch 2027, yes—but don’t become consumed by it,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed, who resigned recently from his position as special adviser on political matters in the office of the vice president, criticised the president for failing to convert the momentum of his inauguration into tangible governance.
He described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a mere campaign slogan, stating that it lacked a clear governance strategy. He also condemned the cabinet composition, claiming that more than half of the ministers were unqualified for the critical task of rebuilding the nation.
He warned that Tinubu’s early focus on re-election could stall governance and public support.
“If you win again without reforming your style and strategy, you may spend four more years preserving failure. If you lose, your legacy could be wiped out in an instant,” he warned.
Baba-Ahmed also pointed to growing discontent across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, saying the North feels alienated, the East politically detached, the South-South fragmented, and the South-West lukewarm.
He accused Tinubu of leading a disconnected and exclusive administration. According to him, the president’s leadership style has alienated both the public and those who could help his government succeed.
“Your closed-door style of leadership, your apparent indifference to complaints of ethnic bias in appointments, and the perception that you frequently run the country from abroad while attending to personal matters have created the image of an isolated leader heading an insular administration,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed further criticised the communication strategy of the presidency, saying Tinubu’s spokespersons confuse rather than clarify government policies.
He maintained that the North would no longer vote blindly in future elections, stressing that the region’s political direction would soon become clearer.
“Other regions could decide to follow us or we go alone—all I know is that no one will become Nigeria’s president without the North’s support,” he said at a recent event in Zaria.
Reacting, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s remarks, accusing him of aligning with opposition forces led by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. He said Baba-Ahmed’s comments were ill-timed, coming just days after his resignation.
“President Tinubu is unfazed by the attacks of Baba-Ahmed and his co-travellers. We await his so-called revelations,” Onanuga stated.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, defended the administration’s performance, claiming it has fulfilled 78 percent of its campaign promises.
He highlighted initiatives such as NELFUND, which has supported over 500,000 students, and CreditCorp, which aims to expand consumer credit access.
Basiru also cited progress in agriculture and infrastructure, noting ongoing projects like the coastal highway and rail sector expansion.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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