Taiwo Popoola
Former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has come under fire over his decision to resign from his position as the political adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
The Kaduna Solidarity Vanguard slammed the former NEF spokesperson, claiming he resigned on the heels of a realization that the Vice President himself had been sidelined by President Bola Tinubu.
The group said this while questioning the motives behind his resignation.
Urban Express News Online reported that Hakeem Baba-Ahmed was said to have Tendered His Resignation to the Presidency two weeks ago but did not provide enough details for his decision, stating that it was on personal grounds.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser On Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023. His role in the presidency attracted criticism at certain points.
The Kaduna Solidarity Vanguard has now questioned the motives behind Baba-Ahmed’s resignation from his position.
In a statement signed by Lawal Tanimu, Chairman, Kaduna Solidarity Vanguard, the group said that Baba-Ahmed’s recent political maneuvering raised significant concerns regarding the gullibility of the northern populace.
According to them, his decision to align with the government in the first place, despite an alleged history of neglecting the North’s challenges, including critical tax reforms, suggests a troubling disregard for the electorate’s discernment.
The statement said, “this opportunistic shift, perceived as an attempt to manipulate public sentiment, undermines the integrity of political engagement.”
According to the group, the people of the north have endured substantial hardships and deserve leaders who genuinely advocate for their interests.
It believed that most of their leaders in the north seek to exploit the trust the northern for personal gain, adding that such deception will inevitably be met with resistance.
“Baba-Ahmed’s resignation is not a principled stand or an act of integrity; rather, it is a calculated move by an individual who has consistently prioritized personal gain over the interests of the people he claims to represent,” the group claimed.
According to the group, his initial acceptance of Tinubu’s call to work in the presidency was driven by the allure of financial rewards.
It added, “It is important to highlight that Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s departure comes on the heels of a realization that the Vice President himself has been sidelined in the current political landscape.
“With a budget allocation of only N36 billion to the office, it became clear that the environment was not conducive for his aspirations.
“His brand of politics, which thrives on manipulation and self-interest, has no place in the North. We must reject the notion that individuals who have shown a willingness to exploit their positions for personal gain can be trusted to advocate for our communities.
