Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Political Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, has called on ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential ambitions and instead mentor emerging leaders. The outspoken politician, who recently resigned from the Tinubu administration, made the declaration during a television interview, extending similar advice he recently gave to President Bola Tinubu regarding the 2027 elections.
Baba-Ahmed argued that Nigeria’s political veterans should make way for fresh leadership, stating: “Atiku has been persistent, but now he should play a fatherly role – help identify and support younger leaders.” He suggested the opposition Peoples Democratic Party could become competitive by fielding a candidate unburdened by longstanding political baggage.
The former Northern Elders Forum spokesperson didn’t spare criticism of his recent employers either, revealing his disillusionment with the Tinubu administration. “I joined to help fix a broken country but left because I saw no serious effort to do so,” he disclosed, claiming he never actually met President Tinubu during his tenure despite his advisory role.
His comments come amid growing political realignments, with Baba-Ahmed condemning the ruling All Progressives Congress for becoming a “political refugee camp” for defectors seeking protection from prosecution rather than ideological converts. He saved particularly scathing remarks for former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling his administration “the worst in Nigeria’s history” for its governance failures.
The political analyst’s broadsides highlight deepening divisions within Nigeria’s political class as the 2027 elections approach. While Atiku hasn’t publicly responded, the intervention adds weight to calls for generational change in Nigerian politics, even as many established figures appear reluctant to relinquish power. Baba-Ahmed maintains his stance is driven by patriotism rather than partisanship, though his harsh assessments suggest turbulent times ahead for the country’s major political parties.
