Friday, 4 April 2025

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Steps Down as President Tinubu's Political Adviser After 17 Months

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‎Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed served in the administration of Vice President Kashim Shettima for approximately 17 months, representing the presidency at various public engagements.

‎Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the political adviser appointed by President Bola Tinubu to work in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position, sources within the presidency revealed on Thursday.

‎Daily Trust has reported that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), resigned from his role as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President about two weeks ago.

‎Citing sources within the presidency, the report noted that Baba-Ahmed did not elaborate on his reasons, stating only that his resignation was based on personal grounds.

‎However, as of the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether the presidency had officially accepted his resignation.

‎Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed served in the administration of Vice President Kashim Shettima for approximately 17 months, representing the presidency at various public engagements.

‎One of his most recent appearances was at the national conference, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” held in Abuja from January 28 to 29, 2025.

‎During his tenure, Baba-Ahmed’s role occasionally attracted controversy, particularly with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

‎Tensions flared in April 2024 when Matawalle urged northern appointees to defend the Tinubu administration against criticism and misrepresentation, a comment widely seen as a veiled rebuke of Baba-Ahmed.

‎The minister’s remarks followed Baba-Ahmed’s response to Matawalle’s dismissal of the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group criticised the North's support for President Tinubu in the 2023 election.

‎Baba-Ahmed had argued that instead of attacking NEF, the minister should have focused on showcasing the achievements of northern appointees in improving security and reducing 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.”

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