Assembly accuses former presidential adviser of political opportunism, questions his record in public service
The Arewa Voters Assembly (AVA) has criticised Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed over his recent political activities and criticisms of President Bola Tinubu, describing him as part of what it called the “rot” in the country and predicting that efforts to build a coalition against the President would fail in the 2027 general elections.
The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Iliasu Musa, and Secretary, Comrade Paul Katuka, accused Baba-Ahmed of political opportunism, alleging that his recent activities were driven by personal ambition rather than a genuine commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly the Talakawa in Northern Nigeria.
AVA also disputed claims attributed to Baba-Ahmed concerning the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged assessment of Tinubu, describing the account as fabricated and accusing him of seeking political advantage through sensational claims.
The group said Baba-Ahmed was not among Buhari’s closest associates, adding that former aides and associates of the late President could attest to this. It challenged him to substantiate the claim, insisting that his criticisms of Tinubu had largely consisted of insinuations rather than what it considered constructive engagement with the administration’s policies.
The assembly further accused Baba-Ahmed of harbouring personal grievances against Tinubu and alleged that his political positions reflected an unwillingness to accept leadership outside his preferred ethnic and regional identity.
Questioning his record in public service, AVA cited his previous roles as secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government and Political Adviser in the Office of the Vice-President.
It challenged him to identify the tangible benefits ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in Northern Nigeria, had received from his years in government.
The group also questioned his conduct during the tenure of a former Kaduna State governor, alleging that workers were dismissed without due process and citizens, including the late Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, were arrested and detained without trial. It accused Baba-Ahmed of failing to speak out against the alleged abuses while serving in government.
AVA further alleged that Baba-Ahmed was part of the political establishment during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, when questions surrounding the President’s ill health generated national controversy. The group accused him of failing to provide the public with information about the situation, arguing that his conduct at the time contradicted his current posture as a defender of the public interest.
The assembly also raised questions about Baba-Ahmed’s reported political involvement with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), arguing that he had not been associated with the party’s historical leadership. It cited Balarabe Musa, Lawal Dambazau, Ammani Inuwa and Halle Jani as among the figures it regarded as established members and leaders of the party.
Describing Baba-Ahmed as an ideological pretender, the group alleged that his political activities were aimed at advancing a narrow agenda rather than addressing the daily challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
It also questioned his reported grievance that, while serving as Political Adviser in the Office of the Vice-President, he did not have a one-on-one meeting with Tinubu.
According to AVA, the complaint reinforced its position that his recent criticisms of the President were driven by personal dissatisfaction. The group alleged that his efforts to mobilise opposition to Tinubu were part of an attempt to regain political relevance and secure influence in a future administration.
The assembly also accused Baba-Ahmed of failing to build political coalitions at the ward, local government or state levels in the past, alleging that his current efforts to unite opposition figures were motivated by his opposition to Tinubu.
It further criticised what it described as his silence on allegations concerning former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and efforts in Washington, DC, to oppose the sale of arms to the Nigerian military.
AVA alleged that attempts to frustrate arms sales to Nigeria could undermine the country’s security efforts amid continuing challenges involving banditry, terrorism, killings and kidnapping. It accused political actors of placing partisan interests above national security, although the statement did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the specific allegations concerning the reported efforts in Washington.
The group also expressed concern that the political activities it attributed to Baba-Ahmed and other opposition figures could inflame ethnic and regional tensions before, during or after the 2027 general elections.
It accused him of collaborating with forces it described as retrogressive and warned against the use of ethnic sentiment to mobilise political support in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
AVA maintained that the Tinubu administration was making progress in the economy, infrastructure, education and security, arguing that its critics should engage with its policies rather than seek to undermine the President through what it described as sensational claims.
The assembly said it would work with other groups to oppose what it characterised as attempts to regain political power for personal interests, insisting that those seeking public office should demonstrate a commitment to national development and the welfare of citizens.
It predicted that the political alliance it alleged was being assembled against Tinubu would fail in 2027, adding that Nigerians should reject what it described as efforts to return the country to a system controlled by a narrow circle of political interests.
The group challenged Baba-Ahmed to explain what ordinary Nigerians and the Talakawa had gained from his years in public service, insisting that those who had occupied positions of authority should be held accountable for their records.
The statement was signed by Comrade Iliasu Musa, National Coordinator, and Comrade Paul Katuka, Secretary, of the Arewa Voters Assembly.
