Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Urges Peter Obi and Kwankwaso Not to Contest 2027 Presidency
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a prominent northern political figure and elder statesman, has advised former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against contesting the 2027 presidential election. Baba-Ahmed, who serves as the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, expressed concerns that their candidacies might not align with the current political realities and could hinder the emergence of a more unifying leadership for Nigeria.
This counsel comes amid ongoing discussions about potential alliances among opposition figures ahead of the next general election. Notably, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has publicly denied any power-sharing agreement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso dismissed claims of a rotational presidency deal involving the trio, emphasizing that no such agreement exists and that he has not engaged in recent discussions with either Atiku or Obi.
Furthermore, Kwankwaso has expressed openness to serving as Peter Obi’s deputy in the 2027 elections, provided certain conditions are met. In a video circulated on social media, he stated, “I’m bigger than Peter Obi politically… I’ve no problem with deputising Peter Obi, but only if certain conditions are met.”
The political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections remains fluid, with various stakeholders exploring potential collaborations to present a formidable challenge to the incumbent administration. Baba-Ahmed’s advice adds to the ongoing discourse on the strategic directions opposition figures should consider to foster national unity and effective governance.
