“Nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.”
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has stated that the North will, within six months, decide who to support in the 2027 presidential election. In a video interview in Hausa, he declared, “Nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.”
Appearing alongside Dr. Usman Yusuf, former NHIS Executive Secretary, Baba-Ahmed decried the nation’s worsening state and urged Northerners to reject divisive politics. “We want a government that understands our problems and can address them,” he said.
He referenced the region’s suffering during the Boko Haram insurgency and stressed the importance of unity, asking, “Who are you?” in response to politicians who expect automatic northern loyalty.
Warning against electoral manipulation, he said, “If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful.”
Baba-Ahmed emphasized competence over identity politics, stating, “We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity… we just want someone who will solve our problems.”