Daily Justice - Latest News Updates in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – 29 April 2025

Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to VicePresident Kashim Shettima, has lambasted President Bola Tinubu’s administration for sidelining him during his tenure, revealing in a candid Arise TV interview on 28 April 2025 that he resigned due to his inability to make a meaningful impact. The prominent northern leader and former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum expressed deep frustration, stating he was left “sitting idle and watching things go wrong” despite his readiness to contribute.

In the interview, BabaAhmed highlighted the disconnect between his role and the administration’s decisionmaking process. “I had a lot to offer as Political Adviser to the President, but you’re not given an opportunity to fix the issues or engage the president, who has all the powers,” he said. He further suggested that President Tinubu either lacks interest in receiving advice or relies on unofficial sources. “The president is either not interested in getting advice or is getting it from those who aren’t appointed officially,” Baba-Ahmed remarked.

The comments come weeks after his resignation on 4 April 2025, following 17 months in the Office of the Vice President. Baba-Ahmed’s exit has fuelled speculation about internal dysfunction within Tinubu’s administration, particularly regarding the marginalisation of appointed advisers. His remarks on Arise TV underscore a broader critique of governance and accountability, raising questions about the administration’s openness to input from its own appointees.