Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum and ex-political adviser to the President, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential ambitions for the 2027 elections. Instead, Baba-Ahmed recommends that Atiku adopt a fatherly role and support younger leaders.
*Key Points from Baba-Ahmed's Advice*
- *Generational Shift*: Baba-Ahmed emphasizes the need for a generational shift in political leadership, allowing younger and more vibrant leaders to take the stage.
- *Atiku's Repeated Bids*: Having run for the presidency six times, Baba-Ahmed believes Atiku should step aside and play a mentorship role, helping to identify and support younger leaders.
- *PDP's Chances*: According to Baba-Ahmed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have a better chance in the 2027 polls if it fields a younger candidate with fresh ideas and energy.
*Qualities of Leadership Baba-Ahmed Advocates For*
- *Competence*: National leadership should be anchored on competence, integrity, and vision, rather than regional sentiment or prolonged political careers.
- *Empathy and Energy*: Nigeria requires leadership defined by empathy, energy, and new ideas to drive progress and development.
*Criticism of Veteran Politicians*
Baba-Ahmed criticizes veteran politicians like Atiku and Peter Obi, suggesting that they should retire from active politics and allow for generational change. He warns that such ambitions detract from the urgent task of fixing governance and finding competent successors [1].
