Baba Ahmed: A Return to Familiar Turf, a Return to Familiar Voice?

For a year, the familiar voice of Hakeem Baba Ahmed, known for his sharp commentary on Nigerian politics, was notably subdued.

Appointed Special Adviser on Political Issues to Vice-President Kashim Shettima in September 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, the former Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesperson stepped away from his usual public critiques.

However, as of yesterday afternoon, following his resignation from the Vice-President’s office, the question lingered: would he return to his familiar turf and his familiar voice?

Initially, it seemed Baba Ahmed was reluctant to engage with the press. But when approached by a correspondent, he maintained a calm demeanor, stating his resignation was a “normal situation” and not driven by “bitterness and malice.”

He also clarified that while a return to the NEF was possible, “they have not called me yet,” and he was awaiting official acceptance of his resignation, delayed, he believed, by the President’s trip abroad.

Hakeem Baba Ahmed’s appointment was a significant departure from his previous role as a vocal critic of government policies. A lecturer at BAZE University in Abuja, he deftly balanced academia with his outspoken position at the NEF.

His accessibility to the press, even amidst teaching duties, was well-known. “Give me some few times to respond to your question because I am in the classroom,” he would often say, before providing insightful commentary.

His appointment to the presidency, however, brought a period of relative silence. A chance encounter in Kaduna late in 2024, where a correspondent jokingly remarked on his absence from the news cycle, was met with a wistful, “I am missing you too.”

This exchange hinted at a potential return to his former role, a prediction that now seems closer to reality.

Adding to the intrigue is Baba Ahmed’s family connection.

He is the elder brother of Datti Baba Ahmed, the running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, further highlighting his deep roots in the Nigerian political landscape.

Now, with his resignation, speculation is rife that Baba Ahmed may once again become a prominent critic of the government.

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This possibility is acknowledged by Anthony Sani, former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), who emphasized the regional dynamics of Nigerian politics.

“No president can emerge without the support of the southern region,” Sani noted, highlighting the constitutional requirement for a nationwide spread of votes.

He also pointed out the internal divisions within the North during the 2023 elections.

Meanwhile, the current NEF Spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, welcomed Baba Ahmed’s potential return. “Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has never left the Forum, he is our member and he is always welcome back to the Forum now that he has resigned from the presidency. He was our Spokesperson,” Jiddere stated, underscoring the enduring connection.

As Baba Ahmed awaits the formal acceptance of his resignation and considers his next steps, the Nigerian political scene watches with keen interest.

Will he reclaim his position as a powerful voice of dissent, or will he forge a new path?

His return to familiar turf may very well signal a return to his familiar and influential voice.