“Step Aside for a New Generation” – Former Aide Urges Tinubu Not to Run in 2027

Former presidential adviser Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, advocating instead for a generational shift in leadership. In an open letter published on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed called on the president to “step aside for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas.”

He argued that Tinubu’s legacy would be better preserved by voluntarily exiting the political stage, suggesting it would mark a “masterstroke” that could inspire a new political culture grounded in merit, unity, and progress. “Our generation has done its time,” he wrote, urging Tinubu to reflect on how history will remember his presidency.

Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Vice President’s office, acknowledged the challenges the administration inherited, including a fragile economy and widespread discontent. However, he criticised Tinubu’s inability to translate the momentum of his inauguration into effective governance. He dismissed the Renewed Hope Agenda as a collection of campaign slogans rather than a coherent plan, and criticised the cabinet as being filled with individuals unfit to handle the country’s pressing issues.

He warned Tinubu against letting the 2027 election distract from the urgent work of governance, cautioning that losing focus could cost him both public support and lasting achievements. “Two years is a long time—you can still achieve much. But if you shift attention now to electoral ambitions, you risk losing both governance momentum and public goodwill,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed described growing dissatisfaction across the country’s regions, claiming the North feels alienated, the East is disengaged, and the South is either fragmented or indifferent. He also accused Tinubu of running an exclusive and disconnected administration, citing the president’s alleged lack of transparency, perceived ethnic bias, and frequent absences from the country.

He criticised the administration’s communication strategy, claiming it lacks clarity and fails to engage the public effectively. According to him, Tinubu’s team of spokespersons has contributed more confusion than clarity.

Baba-Ahmed has long been a vocal critic of Nigerian presidents. As spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, he criticised Presidents Buhari and Jonathan over insecurity and poor leadership. His recent departure from the Tinubu administration followed a public clash with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

While the presidency did not immediately respond to the letter, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s comments as politically motivated, linking him to opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

Defending the administration’s record, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru claimed the Tinubu government had delivered on its promises, citing programs like NELFUND for student support, the establishment of CreditCorp, and efforts to stimulate agricultural production and infrastructure development.