The spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, spoke with Daniel Ayantoye about the recent elections, governance and the incoming administration. He began by noting that, like all responsible Nigerians, the Forum has been watching developments closely and harbors worries and concerns. “We kept silent on many election issues because we felt our responsibility was to be measured in what we say,” he explained.
When asked about his earlier confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Baba‑Ahmed said that the Forum’s trust was based on observable improvements in technology, processes and the commission’s willingness to tackle major electoral challenges. “At the time, it was clear INEC had made significant strides and the Electoral Act addressed key problems,” he said. However, he stressed that INEC should acknowledge its shortcomings, especially in the presidential election, and commit to a thorough examination of the process. “INEC must admit the problems it faced during critical hours and allow a full interrogation, even if some issues end up in court,” he added.
Regarding whether INEC can ever meet Nigerians’ expectations, Dr. Baba‑Ahmed argued that no election will be perfect, but it can be made as close to perfect as possible. Credibility, freedom and fairness depend not only on INEC but also on the political environment. “Politicians poison the process with violence, ethnicity and tribalism; INEC cannot sanitize the political climate,” he said. The responsibility for a credible election lies with Nigerians themselves, and the judiciary must act impartially when aggrieved parties seek redress. He warned that when courts decide 70 % of election outcomes, the electoral process itself is undermined.
On the growing burden on the judiciary, he emphasized that Nigerians have high expectations of judges, who can influence whether democracy survives. The proliferation of ethnicity, religion, violence and vote‑buying during the election, he noted, has set the country back. Many losing candidates are now heading to tribunals, a tradition that wastes resources and risks corrupting the courts. “We cannot allow the judiciary to decide the fate of 60‑70 % of our leaders,” he warned.
Discussing the implications of a tribal and religiously driven election for President‑elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Baba‑Ahmed expressed concern. “When people are told they cannot vote because of their tribe, or are beaten for supporting a candidate, the nation is in danger,” he said. He urged a vision of Nigeria as a country of citizens, not of tribes or religious groups, where everyone can live safely and exercise their rights.
On the upcoming race for Senate President and Speaker of the House, he declined to prescribe which region should produce the office‑holders, arguing that such debates fuel faith‑based and tribal sentiments that cheapen public office. “Let the legislators decide without external imposition,” he said.
Regarding recent legislation allowing states to license, generate, transmit and distribute electricity, Dr. Baba‑Ahmed welcomed the move, noting that the country is blessed with abundant power sources and that further devolution of powers is overdue. He called for a national discussion on the structure and operation of the federal system.
He criticized the post‑1999 constitutional arrangement that has turned governors into “monsters” with powers beyond what the constitution provides. The concentration of authority in the president and governors, he argued, warrants interrogation, as it may not serve the nation’s interests.
On President Buhari’s naira redesign policy, Dr. Baba‑Ahmed described it as a serious blunder that ignored legal standards and public opinion, causing hardship without achieving its stated goal of reducing vote‑buying. “The policy failed spectacularly; it deprived people of legitimate money and did nothing to curb vote‑buying,” he said.
Looking ahead, he believes the president‑elect should first secure a court ruling confirming his legitimate election and then focus on reconciliation to heal inter‑communal tensions created by poisonous politicking. The Northern Elders Forum will hold the incoming president accountable and hopes for a leader who is sensitive to the people’s needs and works hard to meet citizens’ expectations.
Finally, when asked why President Buhari failed to meet expectations despite his initial goodwill, Dr. Baba‑Ahmed expressed fatigue with the former president, noting that many Nigerians share his weariness. “Enough damage has been done in the last eight years; the good thing is to see him go and welcome a new president.”
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