Former Special Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has declared that the North will soon determine its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no politician can win the Presidency without the region’s support.
In a video circulating online, Baba-Ahmed called on Northerners to remain united and wary of “traitors” who are working to weaken the region from within.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has hit back at the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, over his critical position on President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
The former presidential aide said: “The North will stand to defend herself; I swear to God.
“North should be very careful, and avoid traitor politicians and what might divide them.” Reflecting on Boko Haram attacks during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaigns, Baba-Ahmed recalled how both churches and mosques were bombed to destabilise the region. He stressed the need for unity among all Northern groups, including Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju and Mangu.
“You understand now, no politician will come and say, ‘where are the Northerners, follow me’. Who are you?” he asked.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the region has grown more politically conscious following the eight years under Buhari and the ongoing struggles under the present administration.
“By God’s grace, in the next six months, the North will come out and tell their next direction. “It’s left for the rest of Nigerians to follow us, or we go alone. We know nobody will become President without the North.”
The LP running mate had, while appearing on Arise Television programme, insisted that Tinubu could not win the 2027 Presidency and urged him not to waste his energy contesting the election.
But Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the posturing as “flawed, devoid of reasons and empty”.
Dare noted that the President, within the first two years in office, “has demonstrated capacity to govern and re-engineer Nigeria, in a way, hitherto unknown.”
Optimistic that Tinubu will win comfortably in 2027, he added: “No matter the volume of armchair theories and political conspiracies, his performance will clear the path.
“In 2027, Baba-Ahmed and others will need all the marines available to defeat Tinubu, who in about two years has demonstrated his capacity to govern and to re-engineer Nigeria in a way hitherto unknown.” Dare said the LP chieftain was being dishonest in his conclusion that Tinubu is not fulfilling his campaign promises.
