Politics
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Urges President Not to Seek 2027 Re-election
By Our Correspondent
In a rare and candid open letter, seasoned public servant and political adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to contest the 2027 presidential election, calling instead for the rise of a new generation of Nigerian leaders.
Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned as Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice President Kashim Shettima, conveyed his reflections and advice in a deeply personal and critical message dated Thursday, April 24, 2025. He expressed regret at not having the opportunity to deliver his message directly to the president, despite serving for 18 months in Tinubu’s administration.
In the letter, Baba-Ahmed thanked the president for the privilege to serve but did not hold back in expressing his concerns about the direction of Tinubu’s government. He criticized the administration’s lack of a clear governance vision, reliance on political loyalists over merit, and the growing sense of isolation and detachment in leadership.
“You inherited a badly damaged economy and a stressed population. Without a clear and sustained vision… your administration was bound to face turbulence,” Baba-Ahmed wrote. He lamented the failure to transform the early momentum of Tinubu’s inauguration into consistent leadership, citing the unpopular fuel subsidy removal as an example of poor strategic planning.
The former adviser decried what he described as Tinubu’s closed style of governance, the perceived ethnic bias in appointments, and the growing alienation across various regions of the country. According to him, a rising sense of dissatisfaction is spreading from the North to the South West, South-South, and South East, weakening the administration’s national standing.
Addressing the looming 2027 election, Baba-Ahmed warned that shifting focus to electoral politics at the expense of governance would be a grave misstep. “Two years is a long time—you can still achieve much,” he told the president, urging him to concentrate on reforms, improving security, reviving the economy, and restoring public trust.
In a bold appeal, Baba-Ahmed called on President Tinubu to resist the temptation of a second-term bid, arguing that stepping aside would cement his legacy and usher in a new era of leadership. “Step aside—not for your opponents, but for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas,” he wrote.
Baba-Ahmed’s letter stands out for its frankness at a time when direct criticism from within the ranks of government is rare. His appeal reflects a broader public sentiment questioning the government’s performance amid escalating economic hardship and security concerns.
The letter concluded with an appeal to President Tinubu’s better instincts: “I offer this advice with sincerity and hope—believing that one leader can change the course of a nation. That leader could be you.”
As political temperatures begin to rise ahead of 2027, Baba-Ahmed’s powerful message is likely to fuel debate about leadership renewal, governance priorities, and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
By Our Political Reporter
Governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State have cautioned the party leadership against what they described as an alleged attempt to “smuggle” former APC governorship aspirant, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, into the party’s ongoing governorship primary process ahead of the 2027 elections.
The aspirants, in a communiqué issued on Sunday, argued that Prof. Pantami, who participated in the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on May 21, 2026, could not lawfully defect to the PDP and contest another governorship primary within the same election cycle.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Usman Aliyu Garry, and Monica Kaltho.
The development comes days after Prof. Pantami announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, citing alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exercise.
The PDP aspirants disclosed that, in the interest of party unity and cohesion, they had unanimously agreed to allow the leadership of the party in Gombe State to select a consensus candidate among them for the 2027 governorship election.
According to the communiqué, the decision was taken “in respect and deference to the leadership of our great party,” particularly the PDP leader in the state, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, alongside members of the State Executive Committee, the 11 Local Government Chairmen, and the Elders Committee.
The aspirants stated that they had already signed a written undertaking pledging to abide by the final decision of the party leadership regarding the emergence of a consensus candidate.
“We therefore condemn in the strongest terms the alleged attempt to smuggle into the PDP primaries an aspirant who, by law and established democratic principles, is ineligible to participate, having already contested in the APC governorship primaries held on 21st May, 2026,” the communiqué read.
They further argued that the law does not permit a candidate to defect from one political party to another and subsequently participate in the same election process after votes had already been cast and counted in another party’s primary election.
While affirming that the PDP remains open to welcoming new members, the aspirants maintained that such individuals should not be allowed to join a primary process already at an advanced stage.
“We strongly object to any attempt to involve such a person in the ongoing PDP gubernatorial primaries,” they stated.
The aspirants also warned the party leadership against taking actions capable of exposing the PDP to avoidable legal disputes and internal crisis.
“We therefore call on the leadership of the party to be properly guided and to desist from promoting any action capable of undermining the rule of law or exposing the party to avoidable litigation,” the communiqué added.
They warned that any violation of due process could trigger serious legal challenges from aggrieved party members and even opposition parties.
The statement concluded with a cautionary note, saying, “As the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine.”
By Our Political Reporter
The political landscape of Gombe North Senatorial District has taken a dramatic turn following the emergence of Hon. Mustapha Aliyu as the winner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hon. Aliyu secured the party’s ticket amid growing interest in the senatorial race, positioning himself for what is expected to be a highly competitive contest involving some of the state’s most influential political figures.
In his acceptance speech after the primaries, Aliyu declared confidence in his ability to defeat two major contenders—former Governor and current Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who is expected to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the race.
He described his emergence as a mandate to offer credible leadership and pledged to bring what he called the “dividends of democracy” to the people of Gombe North if elected in 2027.
According to him, his campaign will focus on improving governance, strengthening democratic participation, and addressing the socio-economic challenges facing communities across the senatorial district.
Political observers say the development signals an early build-up to one of the most closely watched senatorial contests in Gombe State, as heavyweight candidates from the three major parties prepare for a fierce electoral showdown.
With his emergence, Hon. Mustapha Aliyu has officially entered a high-stakes political battle that is expected to shape the future political direction of Gombe North ahead of the 2027 elections.
By Our Political Reporter
Former Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmad Alkali, on Saturday held a massive political rally in Gombe in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his 2027 re-election ambition.
The rally attracted a large crowd of supporters, party loyalists, and youths from different parts of Gombe State, who gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leadership of President Tinubu.
The event came shortly after another major political gathering in which over 2,000 youths marched through parts of Gombe Local Government Area in solidarity with Senator Sa’idu Ahmad Alkali, expressing support for him to emerge as the APC governorship candidate in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youth rally was organized under the leadership of Usman Ahmad Saleh, popularly known as Sarkin Adon Pantami, who coordinated supporters and mobilized participants for the peaceful procession.
Carrying banners, posters, and APC flags, the youths chanted political slogans and praised Senator Alkali for what they described as his contributions to the development of the state and his loyalty to the APC.
Many of the supporters at the rally said they believe Senator Alkali possesses the political experience and leadership qualities needed to move Gombe State forward if given the opportunity to contest for the governorship seat.
Speaking during the gathering, party supporters also pledged their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, insisting that the APC-led administration should be given more time to continue its programmes and policies across the country.
The rally further highlighted the growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, as various interest groups and supporters continue consultations and mobilization within party structures across Gombe State.
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