Why Tinubu, Atiku Shouldn’t Contest Presidency In 2027 – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside and not contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that Nigeria desperately needs fresh leadership and a new generation of leaders.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed, a respected Northern elder statesman and former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), argued that both veteran politicians have fulfilled their ambitions and should allow younger, healthier, and more governance-focused candidates to emerge for the good of the nation.

“I had an interview here where I said that if I had my way, two people would not run in 2027. They will not run at all. They are President Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. They have a really good chance of giving Nigerians a choice to pick the best candidate,” he stated.

On President Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed was direct: “The reason why President Tinubu shouldn’t run, I think, is that he has run out of steam. I don’t think that he has the capacity to continue to govern this country beyond 2027. I’m speaking honestly, without any prejudice to him. I think he’s fulfilled his ambition and become president of this country. By 2027, he would have served four years. It would have been the best time for President Tinubu to say, ‘I need a younger person. I need a healthier person. I need somebody who is more focused on governance.’”

He extended the same advice to Atiku Abubakar: “And for Vice President Atiku, the same thing. They really owe this country the responsibility to say, ‘We don’t have to be presidents in 2027.’ The country needs fresh blood. The country needs a new lease of life.”

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from his position in April 2025 citing lack of zeal in the administration to tackle national challenges, has been vocal about the country’s economic and security woes. In the same interview, he described President Tinubu’s record on the economy and security as “very poor,” reflecting widespread public frustrations over inflation, naira depreciation, fuel subsidy removal impacts, and persistent banditry, kidnapping, and insecurity, especially in the North.

The elder statesman also weighed in on opposition strategies ahead of 2027. He predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) “will bleed after its convention” if Atiku Abubakar emerges as the presidential candidate, as he is likely to secure the ticket due to his experience and political machinery. He warned that this could trigger walkouts, defections, and severe internal damage to the party. He noted complications from other opposition figures like Peter Obi, who prefers direct anointing over rigorous conventions.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, born in 1955, is a retired senior civil servant who previously served as Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2003 and Chief of Staff to a former Senate President. His calls come at a critical time as political realignments intensify, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pushing for continuity while opposition parties explore coalitions to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Analysts say Baba-Ahmed’s frank remarks are likely to spark heated debates across political divides, especially given the hardships many Nigerians continue to face. His position underscores growing calls from some quarters for term limits, generational shift, and leaders with renewed energy to address pressing national issues like unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.

As the countdown to 2027 begins in earnest, whether Tinubu and Atiku heed this advice or press on with their ambitions remains to be seen. For now, Baba-Ahmed’s message is clear: Nigeria needs fresh blood for a new lease of life.