Northern Leaders to Decide 2027 Presidential Stance in Six Months, Says Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
KADUNA, Nigeria—Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, declared on April 20, 2025, that the northern region will announce its political direction for the 2027 presidential election within six months, asserting that no candidate can win Nigeria’s presidency without northern support. The statement, made in a viral Hausa-language video interview alongside Professor Usman Yusuf, has sparked #NorthDecides at 110,000 X posts, amplifying tensions amid Nigeria’s economic struggles—naira at N1,610/$1 and 40% inflation—as of April 21, 2025.
A Call for Unity and Action
Speaking in Kaduna, Baba-Ahmed urged northerners to resist divisive politicians and unite across ethnic and religious lines—Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and Mangu—warning against “traitors” weakening the region, per TheCable. “The North will stand to defend herself, I swear to God,” he said, reflecting on Boko Haram’s past devastation, which targeted mosques and churches alike. He emphasized that the North’s decision will shape Nigeria’s future, stating, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way.” #North2027 posts (70,000) echo his call, with @nigeriantribune tweeting, “Baba-Ahmed says no president without the North!”
Political Weight: North’s Electoral Power
Baba-Ahmed, who resigned as Tinubu’s political adviser to rejoin the northern emancipation struggle, stressed the region’s electoral dominance, with 19 states and over 50% of Nigeria’s 87 million registered voters, per INEC. “No politician can become president without northern support,” he asserted, per Daily Trust. His warning against rigging—“a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria”—has fueled #NoRigging2027 posts (60,000), with @AtlDigest noting, “Baba-Ahmed’s words carry weight.” Analysts like Dr. Tunde Lawal see this as a challenge to Tinubu’s 2027 ambitions, especially after northern leaders criticized his policies, per ThisDay.
Economic and Security Backdrop
The declaration comes amid Nigeria’s economic woes—naira at N1,610/$1, forex reserves at $38 billion, and rice at ₦100,000 per bag, per NBS and Bloomberg. Insecurity persists, with 56 killed in Benue and floods displacing 10,000 in Plateau, per Reuters. #FixNigeria posts (150,000) link northern discontent to these crises, while Baba-Ahmed’s call for a leader with “competence and integrity” resonates, per Channels TV. Cultural distractions, like Wizkid’s Morayo topping charts, offer brief relief, per BellaNaija.
Mixed Reactions: Hope and Skepticism
Supporters like @NassirAminu praise Baba-Ahmed’s resignation and stance, viewing it as a northern rallying cry, with #NorthAwake at 50,000 posts. Critics, like @HighChiefOkoro, question if it’s a veiled anti-Tinubu campaign, citing Baba-Ahmed’s past NEF role, per X. Lawal noted, “The North’s unity could make or break 2027, but internal divisions remain a risk.” #NigeriaDecides posts (100,000) debate whether the North will back Tinubu, Atiku, or a new coalition, per Naija News.
What’s Next: A Defining Moment?
Baba-Ahmed’s six-month timeline signals intense political maneuvering, with northern elders and masses poised to reject identity politics, per THISDAY. His warning against marginalization and rigging underscores fears of electoral fallout, per The ICIR. As Nigeria navigates a $2 billion IMF loan and Enugu’s Igbo festival buzz, per Reuters and Arise News, the North’s decision could reshape 2027. Will it unify or fracture Nigeria’s future?
