Respected northern elder and former special adviser to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has voiced strong concerns over what he describes as growing marginalisation of the North in Nigeria’s political space.
In a widely circulated video, Baba-Ahmed urged northerners to remain united and vigilant, warning that continued neglect of the region’s interests may push it to make a bold political move.
“The north will stand to defend herself, I swear to God,” he declared. “North should be very careful, and avoid traitor politicians and also avoid what might divide them.”
He recalled how, during President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign days, both churches and mosques were bombed in the North, in what he believed was a plot to destabilise the region. Yet, the North endured. Now, he says, it is time for the region to assert itself.
“You understand now, no politician will come and say, ‘where are the northerners, follow me’. Who are you?” he asked, adding that the region has grown more politically aware.
Baba-Ahmed stressed that northerners, regardless of religion or ethnicity, must stay united. “By God’s grace, in the next six months, the north will come out and tell their next direction,” he said. “It’s left for the remaining Nigerians either they follow us, or we go alone. We know nobody will become president without the North.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, he issued a serious caution: “Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God.”
He said northern elders are not sitting idle. “There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are.”
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