For 2027 election North will decide on preferred presidential candidate in six months time–Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu and ex-spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has stated that the North will, within the next six months, decide on which presidential candidate to support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a recent interview conducted in Hausa, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that no politician could win the presidency without northern backing.
He appeared alongside Dr. Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, as both men discussed the current state of Nigeria and warned against manipulative politics targeting the North.
“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He called for a government that truly understands and is capable of addressing the region’s challenges, recalling the pain experienced during previous administrations.
“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.
Referencing the Boko Haram insurgency, Baba-Ahmed noted that it devastated all segments of the North—regardless of religion or ethnicity—and should have prompted unity among Northerners.
“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 also issued a warning over continued political marginalization of the North, cautioning that it may lead to serious 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.”
Baba-Ahmed concluded by urging Northerners to move past religious or ethnic sentiment when choosing their leaders, emphasizing the need for competence and integrity.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said
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