In a bold and thought-provoking statement, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a respected Northern elder and former Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Office of the Vice President, has called on leading political figures including Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar, and even President Tinubu himself to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and give room for younger, more vibrant Nigerians to take the reins of leadership.
Speaking in his capacity as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Baba-Ahmed stated that the mentioned political heavyweights represent a generation that has exhausted its usefulness and is no longer equipped to address the deepening challenges facing Nigeria today.
“The 2027 elections should not be another cycle of recycling those who have had their chances and failed to deliver the country from economic ruin, insecurity, disunity, and the decay in public institutions,” Baba-Ahmed remarked.
He further emphasized that while these figures have made contributions in the past, clinging to power out of political ambition does more harm than good. “Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Kwankwaso of the NNPP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself should make room for a new political paradigm led by younger Nigerians who understand the urgency of now,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed’s call aligns with growing sentiments across the country, particularly among the youth, who are increasingly disillusioned with what they see as an unending cycle of old politicians exchanging power among themselves without transformative progress.
He noted that while age alone isn’t a disqualifying factor, Nigeria’s dire state requires a generational shift in thinking, strategy, and leadership style. “Our problems are not just about policy—they are about trust, innovation, and energy, which this aging class can no longer provide. Let them become statesmen, advisers, and supporters, but not contenders,” he added.
The NEF spokesman's statement has stirred fresh conversations within political circles and civil society groups, many of whom have long advocated for youth inclusion, generational equity, and the revitalization of the country’s leadership structure.
Political analysts believe this may also be a strategic nudge to inspire younger political aspirants to begin early mobilization and challenge the dominance of career politicians whose names have graced presidential ballots for decades.
Whether or not the political heavyweights heed this call remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Nigeria’s youth are watching, waiting, and increasingly demanding a leadership that reflects their aspirations and future.