Baba-Ahmed Resigns As President Tinubu’s Political Adviser

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as a political adviser in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has stepped down from his position, according to sources within the presidency on Thursday.

Daily Trust asserted in its report that Baba-Ahmed, previously the spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), resigned from his role as Special Adviser on Political Matters approximately two weeks ago.

The report, citing presidential sources, indicated that Baba-Ahmed did not provide specific reasons for his departure, only mentioning that it was due to personal considerations.

At the time of the report, it was still uncertain whether the presidency had formally acknowledged his resignation.

Having been appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed served in Vice President Kashim Shettima’s administration for around 17 months, representing the presidency at various public events.

One of his latest engagements was at the national conference titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” which took place in Abuja from January 28 to 29, 2025.

Throughout his tenure, Baba-Ahmed’s position occasionally sparked controversy, particularly in relation to Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Tensions heightened in April 2024 when Matawalle urged northern appointees to defend the Tinubu administration against allegations and misrepresentations, a statement that many interpreted as a veiled critique of Baba-Ahmed.

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The minister’s comments came in response to Baba-Ahmed’s dismissal of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a “political paperweight,” following the group’s criticism of the North’s backing for President Tinubu during the 2023 election.

Baba-Ahmed contended that rather than attacking the NEF, the minister should have concentrated on highlighting the accomplishments of northern appointees in enhancing security and alleviating poverty.

“The scathing criticism of NEF by the junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised,” Baba-Ahmed had said.

“He could have done a better job for this administration by identifying contributions made by northern ministers and other appointees like me.”
Matawalle later responded, saying that as a presidential appointee, Baba-Ahmed had a duty to defend and promote the administration.

“His relationship with the NEF is well known,” the minister stated. “Appointees must work for the administration’s success and counter unjust attacks that are motivated by ethnic or parochial interests.”