North Will Decide Its Stand In Next Six Months – Baba-Ahmed
Immediate past Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said the north would declare its stand on the 2027 presidential run in the next six months
He also boasted that no politician could win the Nigerian Presidency in 2027 without the support of the Northern region.
Speaking in a video interview obtained by THISDAY, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), emphasised that the North would soon define its political direction as it was tired of identity politics.
This was as a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, accused former governors of Nasarawa and Katsina States, Senator Umaru Al-Makura and Bello Aminu Masari, of declaring support for the Bola Tinubu government for personal gains, saying they could not speak for the bloc of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
But the National Vice Chairman of the APC, North West, Hon. Muhammad Datti, has described Malami as a paper tiger, and a politician without any electoral value.
However, Baba-Ahmed, who was once Chief of Staff to the former Senate President said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands.
“If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become President of Nigeria without Northern support,” he asserted.
He lamented the state of the nation and urged Northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general election.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” he asked.
Reflecting on past experiences, he said the North had suffered greatly during the Boko Haram terrorism, which affected all groups – Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others – highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he questioned.
He warned against further marginalisation of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences.
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching. Elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say ‘enough is enough.’ The injustice and sidelining must stop,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also urged the region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader let him falls from heaven, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
He concluded by asserting that the Northern electorate had learned hard lessons from past choices and would approach 2027 with a new mindset.
