By Chinelo Obogo
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has stated that the northern region would, within the next six months, take a definitive position on who to support in the 2027 presidential election.
Baba-Ahmed, who spoke alongside Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), emphasised the political weight of the North, warning that no one can become Nigeria’s president without the region’s support.
He said: “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 which is clear is that nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support. We want a government that understands our problems and can address them.”
He expressed disappointment over the current administration’s handling of northern interests, warning against any attempts to rig the next election or sideline the region. He added: “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? 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.”
Calling for an end to identity politics, he said the region must move past voting based on religion or ethnicity and instead focus on competence and integrity in leadership.
“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? We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want the right leader — let him fall from heaven, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he declared.
His comments are already stirring political reactions, as regional blocs begin early alignments and negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections.