Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to relinquish his long-held presidential aspirations.
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as Political Adviser to the President in the Office of the Vice President, suggested that Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times, should instead focus on supporting the development of a new generation of leaders.
This advice echoes his previous open letter to President Bola Tinubu on April 23, where he urged Tinubu to forego a second term in 2027, citing the nation’s political and economic challenges and advocating for a transition to “a new generation of Nigerians.”
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During a Channels Television interview on Thursday, when asked if he would extend similar advice to Atiku, Baba-Ahmed confirmed that he would, suggesting that Atiku should transition to an elder statesman role.
“If I had the chance, I’d tell Atiku the same thing. He’s done his bit. He’s been persistent. But now, he should play a fatherly role—help identify and support younger leaders,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed believes that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could present a strong challenge in the 2027 presidential election if they nominate a younger, visionary candidate.
“If they present someone younger, with fewer skeletons, better health and fresh ideas, they could wipe the floor with the APC. This country is hungry for leadership with vision and empathy,” he said.
He also emphasized that regional origins should no longer be the primary factor in political considerations, stating, “It doesn’t matter where the person comes from. At this point, anyone still talking about North or South is missing the point. We need competence and vision.”
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