Tinubu: Hakeem Baba-Ahmed rejects North-South division claim

Former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has sharply rejected the oft-repeated notion that the North opposes a Southern president.

Speaking on TVC Fireworks recently, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that the idea of a Northern conspiracy against President Tinubu or the South is baseless.

His comments stimulate an uncomfortable but necessary reflection on Nigeria’s political dynamics, regional relationships, and the rhetoric clouding national unity.

Historical Voting Patterns Refute the Conspiracy Narrative

Baba-Ahmed outlined a historical trend that challenges the popular assumption that Northerners resist a Southern presidency.

He recalled the 1993 presidential election when the North voted for late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola from the Southeast, despite his opponent, Bashir Tofa, hailing from the same Northern region.

Tofa ultimately lost even in his home state, underscoring the lack of a regional political blockade by the North.

Further, Baba-Ahmed cited instances where the North supported Southern presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo’s two successive terms and Goodluck Jonathan’s in 2011.

He stressed that this voting history extends to Tinubu’s own rise, dismantling the persistent claim of Northern antagonism against the South.

“Nonsense” and Political Weaponization

Describing the assumptions as outright “nonsense,” Baba-Ahmed criticized those who wield this narrative for political gains rather than truth.

This rhetoric inflames divisions and obscures the real challenges Nigeria faces.

He dismissed the idea that Northern opposition to a Southern president is a genuine political stance, framing it instead as a contrived excuse that distracts from pressing national issues.

This controversial dismissal invites backlash from those who believe regional tensions are a genuine concern, thus stirring debate about the sincerity and motives of political actors.

Tinubu’s Security Inheritance: A Difficult Legacy

Baba-Ahmed also touched on the security challenges that President Tinubu inherited from his predecessor, citing the deteriorated situation upon Tinubu’s assumption of office.

Hakeem asserted that the security landscape “hasn’t gotten any worse,” but neither has it improved significantly.

He recounted his personal involvement in the political process, having been a member of a dialogue committee appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan to engage Boko Haram.

Baba-Ahmed noted that the insurgency began during Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s tenure and sunk deep into the country’s social fabric.

This context underscores that security problems reflect deep-rooted, long-term crises rather than simple administrative failures.

Political Loyalty and Realpolitik

Reflecting on his experience, Baba-Ahmed explained part of Buhari’s 2015 campaign strategy that resonated widely in the North.

The promise to abandon a weak approach that merely “threw money at the Boko Haram problem” appealed to many voters.

This historical insight complements his argument that regional support revolves around pragmatic concerns rather than ethnic or regional bias.

A Call to Move Beyond Identity Politics

Baba-Ahmed’s remarks implicitly challenge Nigerians to transcend identity-based politics.

By highlighting Northern voting patterns that have favored Southern candidates, he advocates for recognition of shared national interests rather than divisive regional stereotypes.

However, his denunciation of conspiracy theories also opens up contentious debates about whether political elites adequately address the legitimate concerns behind regional mistrust.

Critics might argue that dismissing these concerns as “nonsense” risks alienating portions of the populace whose experiences or perceptions differ.

Controversial but Necessary Conversation

In the context of WahalaUpdate’s commitment to addressing uncomfortable truths, Baba-Ahmed’s statements serve as a provocative intervention.

They demand scrutiny of how identity politics are exploited and how genuine political engagement might be forged across Nigeria’s diverse communities.

This narrative encourages readers to ponder: is the persistent talk about Northern opposition to Southern leadership a smokescreen for other political failures?

And should the focus shift from unproductive blame games toward constructive solutions to governance and security?

This article offers a controversial, critical perspective tailored for the WahalaUpdate channel blog, highlighting the tensions and misperceptions at the core of Nigerian federal politics.

It pushes readers to question prevailing narratives and urges a focus on unity and accountability beyond ethnic and regional blame.