2027 Election: Baba-Ahmed Mentions What Tinubu, Obi, Atiku Must Get to Emerge President

• Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has claimed no politician can win the 2027 presidency without the support of the northern region, stressing its growing political influence
• Baba-Ahmed criticised divisive politicians and highlighted the North's lessons from past challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency, and urged unity and a focus on true leadership
• He warned against the marginalisation of the North and called for competence over identity politics in the 2027 elections

Baba-Ahmed has expressed concern over the state of the nation, emphasising that the North’s support would be crucial in determining the outcome of the 2027 election.

He urged Northerners to resist divisive politicians and to remain united in their search for a government that truly understands their issues.

Legit.ng reports that this comes as President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi intensify their political manoeuvres in the lead-up to the 2027 election.

“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” he lamented.

He pointed out that despite the past challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency, the region had learned valuable lessons and was no longer easily swayed by political promises.

Baba-Ahmed shares the North's experience with Boko Haram

Reflecting on the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency, Baba-Ahmed highlighted the profound toll it took on all groups in the North, including Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others.

He emphasised the importance of unity in the face of such adversity.

“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he asked.

He stressed that the North’s experiences had shaped its political outlook, and politicians could no longer expect automatic support without genuine efforts to address the region’s needs.

Baba-Ahmed warns against marginalisation, election rigging

Baba-Ahmed also warned against the further marginalisation of the North, emphasising that continued disregard for the region’s interests would have serious consequences, Punch reported.

He cautioned that any attempts to rig the 2027 election would not be tolerated by the northern electorate.

“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching. Elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say ‘enough is enough.’ The injustice and sidelining must stop,” he asserted.

Baba-Ahmed charges northern leaders to choose competence

In his closing remarks, Baba-Ahmed urged the northern electorate to focus on competence and integrity when making their voting decisions in 2027, Daily Trust reported.

He stressed the need for a leader who would address the region’s pressing issues, rather than voting based on religion or ethnicity.

“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want the right leader—let him fall from heaven—we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed concluded by asserting that the northern electorate had learned hard lessons from past elections and would approach 2027 with a new, more discerning mindset.

Arewa Forum backs Baba-Ahmed

Speaking with Legit.ng, on Sunday, April 21, 2025, the spokesperson of, Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof Tukur Mohammed-Baba, backed Baba-Ahmed’s remarks, affirming that the North remains the core decider in Nigeria’s electoral outcomes.

"I completely agree with Baba-Ahmed. The North has grown politically wiser and will not be swayed by empty promises in 2027.

"Any serious presidential contender—whether Tinubu, Atiku, or Obi—must recognise that without the North's genuine support, victory is impossible," Mohammed-Baba said.

He stressed that the region’s unity, forged through years of hardship and neglect, will now guide its choices at the ballot box.

2027 election: Cracks in opposition amid plots to sack Tinubu

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a coalition to democratically unseat President Tinubu, which has Atiku Abubakar as one of its major members, expressed its displeasure with governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku, a former vice-president and multiple-time presidential candidate, is looking to vie for the presidency again in the 2027 election.

Salihu Lukman, spokesperson of the coalition, explained that the alliance is a viable option to not only defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu but also to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng