… Says, Administration’s Communication Strategy Lacks Coherence
Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Recently resigned Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has called on President Bola Tinubu to forgo his re-election ambition in 2027 and instead pave the way for a new generation of Nigerian leaders.
In an open letter released on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed urged Tinubu to use the remaining years of his presidency to catalyze a national rebirth rather than focus on a second term. He described the president’s decision not to seek re-election as a potential “masterstroke” that could usher in “a peaceful, historic transformation” and redefine Nigeria’s political culture.
“Step aside — not for your opponents, but for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas,” he wrote.
Baba-Ahmed emphasized that Tinubu’s current mandate should be devoted to alleviating the country’s harsh economic conditions and fostering national unity. He criticized the administration’s inability to translate the goodwill of Tinubu’s inauguration into effective governance and faulted the Renewed Hope Agenda as a collection of campaign slogans rather than a coherent policy framework.
“Our generation has done its time,” Baba-Ahmed stated. “You hold what your opposition lacks: the power to reduce the harshness of life for the average Nigerian. Use it well. Watch 2027, yes — but don’t become consumed by it.”
The former aide accused Tinubu of presiding over a disconnected and exclusive administration, marred by ethnic favouritism, a lack of transparency, and an absence of inclusive governance. He also questioned the competence of the president’s cabinet, noting that “more than half… has no business managing an administration tasked with improving security, livelihoods, or public trust.”
Regional Discontent and Legacy Risks
Baba-Ahmed painted a grim picture of the national mood, warning that discontent was rising across the country. “The north is drifting from your leadership under the weight of economic hardship, insecurity, and alienation,” he noted. “The east remains politically disengaged, the south-south is fragmented, and the south-west’s lukewarm support may soon become a burden.”
He further warned that failure to shift focus from electoral calculations to governance could severely damage Tinubu’s legacy. “If you win again without reforming your style and strategy, you may spend four more years preserving failure. If you lose, your legacy could be wiped out in an instant.”
The former NEF spokesman also criticized Tinubu’s leadership style as closed-off, adding that the president appeared indifferent to public concerns and was often perceived as running the country from abroad. “Your inner and secondary circles do not reflect the discipline or inspiration necessary to transform Nigeria,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed lamented the lack of a coherent communication strategy within the administration, describing the current crop of spokespersons as a “crowd” who “often confuse rather than clarify your policies.”
In a recent comment, Baba-Ahmed hinted that the north would declare its position on the 2027 presidency within six months. “We know nobody will become president without the north,” he had said.
His statement comes amid growing political tension and debate over President Tinubu’s re-election prospects, two years ahead of the next general election.
