Politics
Baba-Ahmed Rubbishes Coalition Discussion
Prominent Northern elder, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticised ongoing efforts to form a political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the moves as disappointing, self-serving, and lacking national vision.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed distanced himself from the discussions, stating that he was not involved at any level of the negotiations.
“Let me be fair and say that I’m not involved at all, at any level, in the coalition discussions,” he said. “I’m just an observer who is watching with a lot of worry that an opportunity to create a strong opposition to the ruling party is being messed up by people who insist that they must be the face of that opposition.”
Baba-Ahmed, who is a key figure in the Northern Elders Forum, argued that the political figures championing the coalition have failed to inspire hope or offer a compelling alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“These are people who have been governors, vice-presidents, ministers, some of them have contested three times for president,” he said. “Now they are telling Nigerians, ‘trust us again.’ But Nigerians can see through that. They don’t represent a different future.”
According to him, the main flaw in the coalition effort is that the same old politicians are attempting to dictate the terms and structure, rather than allowing new and credible Nigerians to take the lead.
“It’s the wrong approach. They meet, agree among themselves, and say, ‘We’ve decided this one will be this, and that one will be that.’ Then they invite Nigerians in. That’s not how to build a credible opposition,” he said.
Calling for a generational and political shift, Baba-Ahmed insisted that none of the current crop of political heavyweights should be seen leading or dictating the path of any opposition movement.
“What they need is a complete departure from who they are, what they’ve done, and what they still represent,” he declared. “They can work behind the scenes, but new faces must emerge to give Nigerians real hope.”
He also questioned the absence of a clear vision, lamenting that current coalition promoters have failed to articulate how they intend to do things differently if voted into power.
“Where is the vision? Where are the younger Nigerians who should be leading this country? Where is the concern that violence is destroying our communities?” he asked. “Politics should be about the people, not just about getting rid of President Tinubu.”
He warned that if opposition politicians fail to present a coherent, people-focused alternative, they risk handing over power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) once again in 2027.
“What they’re doing is simply handing over the country back to a president they claim they want to defeat,” he said.
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The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), from his office.
As reported by Nigerian Tribune, the Senate committee on finance, while passing a resolution in Abuja on Thursday, February 26, accused Magaji of failing to honour the upper legislative chamber’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.
Senator Sani Musa, the chairman of the committee, said:
“He (Magaji) refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.
“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses.
” Magaji was appointed to this position by President Tinubu on October 13, 2023.
As the registrar-general of the CAC, Magaji is expected to work for the development and regulation of corporate affairs in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu on Wednesday night, February 25, formally urged the Senate to begin the process of amending the 1999 constitution to provide for the establishment of state police, declaring that Nigeria must urgently restructure its security architecture to confront terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja, the president stated that the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state policing in the constitution to enable governments at subnational levels better secure their territories.
The Nation quoted President Tinubu as saying:
“Nigeria is extremely challenged, we are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency, but you never failed to make a right response to these calls.
“What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear.”
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have called on the National Assembly to commence a fresh process to amend the Electoral Act.
Speaking on behalf of the opposition at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, NNPP National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, urged federal lawmakers to expunge all objectionable provisions contained in the Act.
Prominent opposition figures at the meeting included former Senate President David Mark; NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Also in attendance at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, were the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alongside other stakeholders.
Others present included Senator Dino Melaye, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, among several dignitaries.
The Bayelsa state house of assembly has approved the appointment of Peter Akpe as the deputy governor of the state.
Akpe, a pastor, served as chief of staff to Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, prior to his nomination.
Ordained clergy by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Akpe has had a career spanning the civil service and politics.
He served in the Rivers and Bayelsa state civil services before transitioning fully into politics.
Akpe was a two-term member of the Bayelsa state house of assembly from 2011 to 2019, serving as majority leader throughout his stint in the legislature.
He also served as commissioner between 2008 and 2011 under the Seriake Dickson administration.
The approval clears the way for his swearing-in as deputy governor.
Akpe’s appointment follows the death of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the former deputy governor, who passed on last December.
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