Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, has resigned from his position. Sources within the presidency revealed that he submitted his resignation about two weeks ago, though the exact reasons behind his decision remain unclear. Baba-Ahmed reportedly stated that his resignation was due to personal reasons, but as of now, it is uncertain whether the presidency has formally accepted it.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed to the role in September 2023 and has played a visible part in representing the administration at various public engagements. One of his notable appearances was at the National Conference on “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” which took place in Abuja in January 2025.
During his tenure, Baba-Ahmed faced some controversies, particularly concerning his interactions with other government officials. In April 2024, he was publicly criticized by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who expressed concerns about northern appointees remaining silent in the face of what he described as misrepresentation of the Tinubu administration.
This disagreement stemmed from Baba-Ahmed’s response to Matawalle’s remarks about the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). The minister had dismissed NEF as politically insignificant after the group claimed that the North had made a mistake in voting for President Tinubu. Baba-Ahmed defended the NEF, arguing that the minister should focus on showcasing his achievements and those of other northern appointees rather than attacking the forum.
Matawalle, however, countered by stating that every government appointee had a duty to support and defend the administration. “As appointees from the North, we must take a stand, be unequivocal, and be counted among those working for the success of this administration. This is not the time to keep quiet in the face of intimidation and misrepresentation of the efforts and achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he insisted.
Baba-Ahmed, a seasoned public servant, has had a distinguished career spanning several decades. Before his role in Tinubu’s government, he was the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum, where he actively spoke on issues affecting the North and the nation at large. He previously held high-ranking positions, including Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Permanent Secretary in various ministries.
