Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former special adviser on political matters in the office of the Vice-President under General (President) Bola Tinubu, has issued a stern warning against rigging the 2027 Nigerian presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from the Tinubu administration amid growing political tensions, appeared in a recent video interview voicing what is believed to be the sentiment of many northern political elites. He warned that rigging the 2027 election like the previous one could threaten Nigeria’s unity.
The 2023 election was marred by widespread allegations of irregularities, with both local and international observers, including the European Union, branding it flawed and lacking transparency.
A former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Baba-Ahmed faced criticism over his partisan leanings before accepting his advisory role. However, his tenure saw frequent public clashes with key figures in Tinubu’s cabinet, including Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Following his resignation, Baba-Ahmed has taken a clear oppositional stance. “The 2027 election must be free, fair, and credible for Nigeria to survive as one entity,” he declared.
He rallied northern leaders and communities—Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, Mangu, and others—to stand united, warning of internal betrayal. “The North must be wary of traitor politicians and those who aim to divide us,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed criticized the perceived ethnic favoritism in Tinubu’s appointments, suggesting a growing northern discontent over political exclusion.
He also addressed the ongoing debate about the rotational presidency between North and South. While Tinubu eyes a second term, northern heavyweight Atiku Abubakar—backed by key figures from Buhari’s era—is positioning himself for another run, challenging the informal power-sharing deal.
Hinting at an organized political front from the region, Baba-Ahmed said, “No politician can just show up and say, ‘Northerners, follow me.’ Who are you?” He emphasized that the North has grown politically mature after enduring both the Buhari administration and the current regime.
“By God’s grace, in six months, the North will announce its direction. Nigerians can follow—or we’ll go alone. No one becomes president without the North,” he said.
His most alarming message was a warning that a flawed 2027 election could have catastrophic consequences. “Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” he said gravely.
Northern stakeholders, he hinted, are nearing a final political stance. “There will be a time we’ll say, ‘enough is enough’—and that time is near.”
