Baba-Ahmed Reveals His Personal Reasons for Stepping Down from the Presidency

In a candid interview on Arise Television, former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spilled the beans on why he left his post in the Presidency. He couldn't stomach idleness, explaining, "It's not in my nature to sit around and collect a salary without working.", he said.

Diving deeper into the matter, he elaborated, "The job as Special Adviser is a significant role, but it's only impactful if put into practice. However, in this administration, it was more of a lifetime appointment than an active position.", he added.

Criticizing the structure of the Nigerian presidency, Baba-Ahmed claimed, "The system hasn't changed much since 1999 or even during military rule. The power dynamics, chemistry between the president and Vice President, and the influential cliques around the president play a crucial role in the Vice President's responsibilities." He further underscored, "If the president undervalues the Office of the Vice President and its central role in his success or usefulness, then the Vice President is relegated to the sidelines."

Declaring his resignation as an ethical stand, Baba-Ahmed opined, "There wasn't much for me to do, sitting around was not my style, and there was a lot that needed to be done. I could have offered my insights and opinions, but I was merely a salaried spectator."

Insight

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed's resignation highlights growing discontent within the Tinubu administration, as he points to structural inefficiencies, advisory role marginalization, and leadership isolation[1][2][3]. His critique warns of disconnects between the presidency, its advisers, and regions like Northern Nigeria essential for electoral success[4][5].

*** Tinubu's Isolated Presidency: Insights from Baba-Ahmed's Resignation Story ** continues to draw attention, as the former Special Adviser sheds light on systemic flaws within the administration. Check out related articles on *** 'No Evidence' - Baba-Ahmed Opens Up On Relationship Between Tinubu And Shettima ** or *** Baba-Ahmed, Galadima Lack Moral Courage To Talk About Tinubu's Administration - Kwankwaso * to learn more.

In his interview on Arise Television, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as a Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Vice President Kashim Shettima under the APC administration, revealed his reasons for leaving the Nigerian Presidency, citing idleness as a primary factor.
Baba-Ahmed expressed his discontent with the sheer lack of change in the structure of the Nigerian presidency since 1999, criticizing the power dynamics, overall guidance, and the roles of influential cliques around the president.
He argued that if the president undervalues the Office of the Vice President and its central role in policy-and-legislation, the Vice President is likely to be relegated to the sidelines, impacting both the presidency's effectiveness and its relationship with regions crucial for electoral success.
Although Baba-Ahmed could have contributed valuable opinions on various matters during his tenure, he felt more like a salaried spectator instead of an active participant, choosing to resign as an ethical stand.
This resignation and subsequent critique by Baba-Ahmed indicate growing discontent within the Tinubu administration, raising concerns about the isolation of the presidency, systemic inefficiencies, and advisers' disconnect from the grassroots level in Northern Nigeria.
As these insights from Baba-Ahmed's resignation story continue to make headlines in the general news and politics sections, readers are advised to explore related articles, such as 'No Evidence' - Baba-Ahmed Opens Up On Relationship Between Tinubu And Shettima or Baba-Ahmed, Galadima Lack Moral Courage To Talk About Tinubu's Administration - Kwankwaso, for a deeper understanding of the situation.