A key political strategist in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has stepped down from his role as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
His resignation, reportedly tendered two weeks ago, has stirred speculation within political circles, as no official reason was provided beyond “personal grounds.”
Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), had been a controversial figure within the presidency, especially after clashing with Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
The rift deepened when Baba-Ahmed criticized Matawalle’s dismissal of NEF as a “political paperweight,” leading to questions about his alignment with the administration’s northern political base.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, political analysts suggest Baba-Ahmed’s exit could signal deeper cracks within Tinubu’s northern support structure.
The NEF, which had previously voiced regret over the North’s support for Tinubu in 2023, may now leverage his resignation as further evidence of dissatisfaction with the current administration.
As the presidency remains silent on whether the resignation has been accepted, the bigger question remains: does this mark the beginning of a larger political realignment within the North ahead of future elections?