Former Presidential Adviser, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has asserted that no candidate can secure the Nigerian presidency in 2027 without significant support from the northern region. In a video interview obtained by Daily Trust, Baba-Ahmed, alongside Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), declared that the North is poised to define its political direction in the coming months.
“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 stated.
He expressed deep concern over the nation’s current state, urging northerners to reject divisive political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections. “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 questioned.
Reflecting on the Boko Haram insurgency, Baba-Ahmed emphasized the need for regional unity, noting, “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 warned against further marginalization of the North, stressing, “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 called for a shift away from identity politics, advocating for competence and integrity in leadership. “We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader—let him fall from heaven, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
He concluded by asserting that the northern electorate has learned from past experiences and will approach the 2027 elections with a more discerning mindset.
2027 Presidency: North Will Decide Winner, Says Baba-Ahmed
