Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has resigned from his position, and sources within the presidency confirmed.

Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), reportedly submitted his resignation about two weeks ago. However, it remains unclear whether the presidency has formally accepted his decision.

Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed served in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the administration at various public engagements. Notably, he participated in the national conference titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, held in January 2025 in Abuja.

His tenure was not without controversy. In April 2024, Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle publicly criticized northern appointees, including Baba-Ahmed, for allegedly failing to defend the administration amid accusations of misrepresentation. The criticism stemmed from Baba-Ahmed’s response to Matawalle’s dismissal of the NEF as a “political paperweight,” with Baba-Ahmed urging the minister to focus on his own achievements instead of attacking the NEF.

Matawalle, in turn, insisted that all government appointees, including Baba-Ahmed, had a responsibility to support and promote the administration’s policies and achievements.

“Every appointee of President Tinubu, including Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a duty to promote, elucidate, and advance its good works and commendable efforts across all sectors,” Matawalle emphasized.

As of press time, there has been no official statement from the presidency regarding Baba-Ahmed’s resignation or any potential replacement.