“No politician can become President of Nigeria without the support of the North,” Baba-Ahmed declared. “The region will decide its path, and others can either follow or go their own way.”
Former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has stated that the North’s political direction will be a decisive factor in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Speaking in a widely circulated video interview alongside former NHIS Executive Secretary Prof. Usman Yusuf, Baba-Ahmed said the region’s stance would become clear within the next six months.
“No politician can become President of Nigeria without the support of the North,” Baba-Ahmed declared. “The region will decide its path, and others can either follow or go their own way.”
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, noted that northern voters are now more politically aware and will not be misled by “deceptive or divisive rhetoric.”
“We want a government that understands our problems and is ready to address them,” he said, referencing the hardships endured during the Boko Haram insurgency.
He warned against marginalisation of the North and hinted at serious consequences if the region is sidelined. “If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria,” he cautioned, adding, “The North is watching. Elders, youth, and interest groups will soon say enough is enough.”