Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former presidential aide, has cautioned that aspiring presidential candidates in the 2027 election should not assume that originating from Northern Nigeria will automatically secure votes from the region.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed said many northerners have moved beyond regional or ethnic loyalty when deciding whom to support. “Most northerners have moved away from the idea that just coming from the North is enough to get our votes,” he stated. He added that a significant number of people in the South have also learned from past mistakes of voting purely on regional lines.
Baba-Ahmed challenged the notion of regional advantage, questioning why, if southern origin were decisive, the presidency has remained with a Yoruba leader for four years instead of rotating to someone from Edo State or the South-East.
He emphasized that Nigerians are increasingly prioritizing competence and performance over geographic or ethnic origins.“I don’t think Nigerians would vote purely on regional terms,” Baba-Ahmed said. “They will look at how we are being killed every day on the streets, how poverty has eaten deep. They might vote for good candidates... and then we can make a change.”
He concluded that overemphasizing regional background as either a qualification or a disadvantage in elections is misguided. The comments come amid growing political discussions and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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