Looking back, I once declined a meeting with Tinubu for fear of saying uncomfortable truths- Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs and erstwhile spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), during an interview with LEADERSHIP, expressed his dissatisfaction about Nigeria’s leadership challenges and the weakening foundations of democratic governance.

While discussing his tenure in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Baba-Ahmed explained that institutional constraints significantly limited his ability to function effectively in his office. Although he was appointed as a Special Adviser, he was stationed in the Office of the Vice President, a role that, under Nigeria’s presidential system, is ordinarily expected to come with clearly defined duties.

According to him, this lack of structure resulted in widespread redundancy, with many appointees left idle and unable to contribute meaningfully.

He further observed that decision-making was highly centralised, with the President largely operating independently. This governance style, he said, left little room for engagement or input from advisers.

Over time, the frustration of being underutilised and excluded from substantive policy discussions took its toll, leading him to reconsider his continued presence in government.

Addressing his decision to resign—a move considered unusual in Nigeria’s political culture, where public office is often associated with substantial benefits—Baba-Ahmed grounded his action in personal conviction.

He maintained that remaining in office without a clear purpose or opportunity to add value was incompatible with his principles.

His acceptance of the appointment, he noted, was driven by a genuine desire to help address Nigeria’s pressing challenges, but the absence of any meaningful platform to share ideas or influence governance ultimately made his position untenable.

Further talking, he said, “I am a member of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Ideologically, we see things differently. I cannot watch things go wrong and remain unable to correct them.

“Looking back, I once declined a meeting with President Tinubu for fear of saying uncomfortable truths.

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