GistNexus – April 4, 2025.
Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has quit. Sources within the Presidency told us that the special adviser had resigned about two weeks ago but did not elaborate on why he did so.
Resignation Announcement
Unimpeachable sources revealed that Dr. Baba-Ahmed declined to provide reasons for his resignation in detail, merely citing “personal grounds.” To this day, it remains unclear whether the presidency has officially accepted his resignation.
Baba-Ahmed’s resignation is significant, arriving as he did in September 2023, after President Tinubu had been inaugurated. His tenure as political adviser has been marked by a series of public appearances, and his resignation has arrived amidst a series of high-level resignations in the administration.
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Baba-Ahmed’s Role in the Presidency
Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s tenure as Special Adviser on Political Affairs was characterized by his frequent appearance on behalf of the presidency at public forums. One such event was at a national conference between January 28 and 29, 2025, in Abuja. The conference, which was captioned “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” featured notable political figures and academics. Baba-Ahmed’s appearance in such an event reflected the extent of his activity on behalf of the administration’s political engagement.
As his position, he worked closely with Vice President Kashim Shettima, especially in the facilitation of political dialogue and representing the presidency in all capacities. Baba-Ahmed’s tenure in office, however, was not without controversy.
Tensions with Minister of State for Defence
One of the most prominent controversies that took place while Baba-Ahmed was political adviser was his confrontation with the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle. The altercation between both officers came to light in April 2024 when Matawalle criticized northern appointees in the administration, urging them not to remain silent on attacks against the Tinubu administration.
Matawalle’s statement was taken to be responding directly to Baba-Ahmed’s attack on the minister’s branding of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a “political paperweight.” Baba-Ahmed had publicly denounced the minister’s stance, particularly after Matawalle had condemned the NEF for saying the northern region had made a mistake in voting for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential elections.
Baba-Ahmed’s criticism was that instead of going for the jugular of the NEF, northern appointees like Matawalle could have used their positions to promote the gains of the administration, particularly in the areas of security and poverty eradication in the north. This drew a heated response, with Matawalle accusing Baba-Ahmed of not being totally supportive of the Tinubu administration.
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Background and Career of Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed was born on September 11, 1955. He is from Kaduna State in northern Nigeria. He is a learned man who went to some of the finest institutions, including the London School of Economics and the University of Sussex, where he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
Baba-Ahmed has decades of experience in public service. He began as a lecturer in the current Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto and later moved into the civil service. His rise through the ranks was steady, with Baba-Ahmed being a Permanent Secretary in various government ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Presidency. He also served as the Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and later as Secretary to the Kaduna State Government.
A reform activist per excellence, Baba-Ahmed’s contribution to governance positioned him in the national class of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). A public administration master, his many years of experience have earned him respect, particularly in the north.
Before he was appointed Special Adviser to the President, Baba-Ahmed was commonly referred to as the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). At the NEF, he was outspoken on issues relating to the North, and he spoke against policies he believed were contrary to the interest of the North.
So far, there has been no public announcement by Dr. Baba-Ahmed regarding the terms of his resignation, nor has the presidency made a statement affirming whether it has been accepted or not. His departure from the administration is raising questions regarding potential shifts in the political scene, especially considering his close association with influential groups like the NEF.
His departure follows that of Ajuri Ngelale, the former Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who quit for personal reasons. Ngelale’s September 2024 exit was another high-profile resignation in the administration.
What This Means for the Administration
Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s resignation is the latest in a series of big shake-ups within President Tinubu’s inner circle. With Baba-Ahmed stepping down from his position, there likely will be queries as to who will replace him and how the shift might impact political strategies going forward.
His resignation, as well as that of other senior officials, may signal further issues within the administration, including questions about internal unity and the success of its public outreach. Baba-Ahmed’s resignation, however, may also present an opportunity for new voices to be heard within the administration, potentially reshaping its political narrative.
GistNexus Political Analyst Noted That
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed’s resignation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs is a milestone in the political landscape. While the reasons for his resignation are personal and not apparent, his departure is sure to create a ripple effect in subsequent political actions by the administration. His stay was marked by high-profile activities, controversy, and public falling out with key players in the government. Whether this resignation will lead to a wider change in the administration or not is to be seen.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka