Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum and ex-political adviser to the President, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to forgo any plans to run in the 2027 presidential election. He advocates for a generational shift in political leadership.
In an interview with Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed stressed the importance of older political figures in Nigeria stepping back to make way for younger, more dynamic leaders. He highlighted Atiku’s six previous presidential campaigns as a reason for him to now take on a mentoring role.
“He has made his contributions and shown persistence. It’s time for him to embrace a fatherly role by helping to identify and support younger leaders,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
He believes that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have a stronger chance in the 2027 elections if it selects a younger candidate. He contended that Nigeria needs leadership characterized by empathy, energy, and innovative ideas, rather than one burdened by lengthy political careers and past controversies.
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as Political Adviser in the Office of the Vice President, cautioned against making political decisions based on regional biases. He emphasized that national leadership should be founded on competence, integrity, and vision.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential candidates, including Peter Obi from the Labour Party and Atiku, Baba-Ahmed questioned whether either would have outperformed the current President, Bola Tinubu. He maintained that the country’s progress depends not on recycling familiar figures but on embracing a generational shift.
“All these individuals—the best contribution they can make to this country is to step aside,” he stated, emphasizing that if they do not choose to retire voluntarily, voters should be prepared to remove them from office.
Baba-Ahmed also criticized the PDP for fostering unrealistic expectations among seasoned politicians like Atiku. He cautioned that such aspirations divert attention from the critical need to improve governance and identify capable successors.
Atiku, who represented the PDP in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, has not dismissed the possibility of running again in 2027. However, Baba-Ahmed urged senior leaders like him to take on the role of kingmakers instead of continuing to pursue the presidency themselves.
