Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has called on President Bola Tinubu to personally address growing speculation that he may replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections. In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern over the persistent rumours and said they could have been easily dismissed with a direct and emphatic statement from the President reaffirming his support for Shettima.
He noted that speculation suggesting Tinubu might opt for a different northern vice-presidential candidate—possibly a Christian or someone from another region—has created unnecessary political tension. While presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had dismissed the claims in June as baseless, Baba-Ahmed argued that such reassurance should have come from Tinubu himself to effectively end the narrative and prevent further distractions.
Baba-Ahmed warned that the silence from both the President and his media team was “worrying” and could be misinterpreted. He stressed that clarity from Tinubu was crucial to restoring public confidence and ensuring the administration remains focused on governance rather than being sidetracked by political speculations.
