A former political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step away from presidential contests and instead assume the role of a national statesman.
During an interview on AIT, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged Atiku’s long-standing influence in Nigerian politics but said it was time for him to play a more unifying, behind-the-scenes role in shaping the country’s democratic future.
“Atiku is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics – he served as vice president for eight years and has contested for the presidency three times.
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That alone is an impressive record,” Baba-Ahmed said. “But I don’t think he should aspire to lead this country again. He should now be a father figure, a hero of democracy.”
He urged Atiku, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to invest his experience and political capital into mentoring a new generation of leaders and helping to build a credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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“He should help build an alternative to the APC by bringing in new blood, fresh perspectives, and younger leaders. Let him tell them: ‘The future belongs to you, and I will stand behind you,’” Baba-Ahmed advised.
The former adviser extended the same counsel to other influential political figures, including former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“Amaechi should also take up that fatherly role. And El-Rufai – if he can manage his ego -should be part of this broader movement for national renewal,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments add to growing calls for generational transition in Nigeria’s political landscape, as the country continues to grapple with leadership fatigue and demands for reform.