Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, has resigned from his role in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s administration.
Sources within the presidency confirmed to Daily Trust that Baba-Ahmed tendered his resignation about two weeks ago. However, it remains uncertain whether the presidency has officially accepted his departure as of the time of filing this report.
Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), served under Vice President Kashim Shettima. During his tenure, he was frequently seen representing the presidency at public events and political dialogues, most notably at the January 2025 national conference in Abuja titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity.”
While Dr. Baba-Ahmed brought a wealth of political experience to his role, his time in office was not without controversy. Tensions flared in April 2024 when Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, criticized northern appointees in the administration, including Baba-Ahmed, for failing to adequately defend the Tinubu-led government.
Matawalle’s criticism followed Baba-Ahmed’s remarks defending the NEF after the minister had dismissed the group as a “political paperweight.” Baba-Ahmed fired back, suggesting that rather than attacking the NEF, Matawalle should focus on highlighting his own accomplishments in office.
In a firm response, Matawalle said, “Every appointee of President Tinubu, including Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a duty to promote, elucidate, and advance its good works and commendable efforts across all sectors.”
The friction between Baba-Ahmed and Matawalle, along with the ongoing debates about loyalty and responsibility among presidential aides, has fueled speculation about deeper divisions within the administration.
