2027: North Will Reject Tinubu and His Money — Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Says

• Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has accused Tinubu’s administration of neglecting Northerners and warned against financial inducements, while Kaduna commissioner Ahmed Maiyaki defended the president’s re-election campaign.

National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of humiliating and neglecting Northerners, warning that financial inducements should not determine their choices in the 2027 elections.

In a Facebook post, Baba-Ahmed alleged that supporters of the president and the All Progressives Congress (APC) planned to distribute money on an unprecedented scale to attract Northern voters.

He questioned how political leaders backing Tinubu would justify their support to people across the region.

“What will the leaders of the campaign to bring back Tinubu and the APC, especially those from Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Kwara, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi and Nasarawa states, tell the people?” he asked.

Baba-Ahmed alleged that those behind the campaign believed money could make voters overlook their grievances against the administration.

“We know they will share money on a scale never before seen in Nigerian politics. Their problem is that they look down on Northerners. They think they can buy us off and make us forget the humiliation and neglect we have suffered under Tinubu’s administration.”

He urged Northerners to protect their dignity and resist attempts to influence their political decisions through financial rewards. He also warned against interference with election results.

“We will show them that we, too, are human beings with dignity. If we reject the APC and Tinubu, nobody should dare manipulate the election results,” he said.

Challenging the president’s supporters to an open political contest, Baba-Ahmed wrote:

“As for those supporting Tinubu and the APC, you are welcome. We are here, and you are there. Let the contest begin.”

He ended his message with a prayer for Nigerians to be freed from oppressive leadership.

Responding, Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, said Tinubu’s supporters would campaign confidently for the president’s re-election.

“We are fully prepared, and we will campaign for Bola Ahmed Tinubu without fear or doubt. And, God willing, Tinubu will win the election,” he said.

Maiyaki also rejected suggestions that any individual or political group had a stronger claim to Northern identity than others.

“Nobody is more of a Northerner than anyone else. Whoever tries to intimidate us, we will stand up to them, regardless of how highly placed they are. So, respect yourself,” he said.

The commissioner urged political figures to respect competing preferences and avoid divisive campaigning.

“Campaign for your candidate and allow others to do the same. Don’t be divisive,” Maiyaki added.