Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a prominent northern leader and former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has called on former vice president Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to step aside and retire from their long-standing presidential ambitions in light of the upcoming 2027 elections.
Baba-Ahmed’s passionate call for young leaders
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as political adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed the view that both Atiku and Obi have served their time and should now make way for younger leaders with fresh ideas. “If I had the chance, I’d tell Atiku the same thing. He’s done his bit. He’s been persistent. But now, he should play a fatherly role—help identify and support younger leaders,” Baba-Ahmed said in an interview.
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Baba-Ahmed believes the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could be successful in the 2027 election if it fields a younger candidate, Daily Trust reported. He added, “If they present someone younger, with fewer skeletons, better health, and fresh ideas, they could wipe the floor with the APC.”
Baba Ahmed speaks on competence over regionalism
Baba-Ahmed further stated that regional considerations should no longer be a factor in Nigeria’s presidential race.
“It doesn’t matter where the person comes from. At this point, anyone still talking about North or South is missing the point. We need competence and vision,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for leadership based on skill, not ethnicity.
Baba Ahmed advises Atiku, Obi to retire 2027 ambition
Baba-Ahmed did not mince words when discussing the future of political veterans like Atiku and Obi. He believes that these figures should either retire voluntarily or face being “retired” by the people.
“All these people—the best service they can render to this country is to retire themselves. If they don’t, then Nigerians should retire them,” he stated firmly. While acknowledging Obi’s personal qualities and ideas, Baba-Ahmed questioned whether either Atiku or Obi could have performed better than the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, Vanguard reported.
“I really don’t know, to be honest. I know him personally. I think he has good ideas about a lot of things,” he said of Obi.
