Daily Trust has reported that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), resigned from his role as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President about two weeks ago.
Citing sources within the presidency, the report noted that Baba-Ahmed did not elaborate on his reasons, stating only that his resignation was based on personal grounds.
However, as of the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether the presidency had officially accepted his resignation.
Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed served in the administration of Vice President Kashim Shettima for approximately 17 months, representing the presidency at various public engagements.
One of his most recent appearances was at the national conference, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” held in Abuja from January 28 to 29, 2025.
During his tenure, Baba-Ahmed’s role occasionally attracted controversy, particularly with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Tensions flared in April 2024 when Matawalle urged northern appointees to defend the Tinubu administration against criticism and misrepresentation, a comment widely seen as a veiled rebuke of Baba-Ahmed.
The minister’s remarks followed Baba-Ahmed’s response to Matawalle’s dismissal of the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group criticised the North’s support for President Tinubu in the 2023 election.
Baba-Ahmed had argued that instead of attacking NEF, the minister should have focused on showcasing the achievements of northern appointees in improving security and reducing poverty.
“The scathing criticism of NEF by the junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised,” Baba-Ahmed had said.
“He could have done a better job for this administration by identifying contributions made by northern ministers and other appointees like me.”
Matawalle later responded, saying that as a presidential appointee, Baba-Ahmed had a duty to defend and promote the administration.
“His relationship with the NEF is well known,” the minister stated.
“Appointees must work for the administration’s success and counter unjust attacks that are motivated by ethnic or parochial interests.”
