Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Resigns as President Tinubu’s Political Adviser

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reliable sources within the presidency confirmed to Daily Trust that Baba-Ahmed tendered his resignation approximately two weeks ago, citing personal reasons. However, it remains unclear whether the presidency has formally accepted his resignation.

Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), had been a vocal figure within the administration, representing the presidency at key national events, including the recent conference on “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity” held in January 2025.

His tenure was not without controversy. In April 2024, he clashed publicly with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, over the latter’s remarks dismissing the NEF as a “political paperweight.” Baba-Ahmed, defending the Forum, argued that northern appointees should be highlighting their achievements instead of attacking regional bodies.

“Scathing criticism of NEF by the junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised,” Baba-Ahmed had said, emphasizing the need to focus on contributions to national development, especially in northern Nigeria.

Matawalle responded by questioning Baba-Ahmed’s loyalty, insisting that presidential appointees had a duty to defend the administration. “As appointees from the North, we must take a stand, be unequivocal, and be counted among those working for the success of this administration,” the minister said.

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