Hakeem Baba-Ahmed warns that northern origin will not guarantee votes in 2027, saying Nigerians will focus on performance and hardship
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former aide to President Bola Tinubu, has warned that presidential candidates from northern Nigeria cannot assume automatic electoral support in the 2027 general elections based solely on regional origin.
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Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, where he discussed shifting political attitudes ahead of the next election cycle.
He said the long-standing belief that candidates from a particular region can rely on bloc voting is becoming increasingly outdated, noting that many voters across the country are now guided more by performance and lived realities than by geography.
According to him, both northern and southern voters are gradually moving away from purely regional considerations in their electoral decisions.
“Most northerners have moved away from the idea that just coming from the North is enough to get our votes,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also questioned assumptions around southern political advantage, arguing that leadership choices should not be tied exclusively to ethnic or regional identity.
He further stressed that Nigerians are increasingly concerned about insecurity, poverty, and governance failures, which he described as key factors likely to shape voter behaviour in 2027.
“I don’t think Nigerians would vote purely on regional terms… they might vote for good candidates like the ones we are fielding and then we can make a change,” he added.
The former presidential aide said the focus should shift away from zoning sentiments and towards candidate competence and national performance.
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His comments come amid growing political debate over zoning arrangements, regional representation, and the emerging dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
