Baba-Ahmed: Why I Rejected the Idea of Obi or Kwankwaso as Nigeria’s Next President

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, respected political commentator and elder statesman, has voiced strong reservations about the suitability of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as future presidents of Nigeria. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed challenged the widespread notion that bringing in new political figures automatically guarantees meaningful change.

He argued that Nigeria’s problems run deeper than personalities and cannot be fixed simply by electing different individuals. According to him, both Obi of the Labour Party and Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party still belong to a political class that has already run its course and failed to deliver the transformation Nigeria urgently needs.

He stressed that the nation’s political structure is flawed, dominated by rivalry and a “winner-takes-all” culture that stifles progress regardless of who is in power. Without systemic reform, he said, even well-meaning leaders would remain ineffective.

His comments resonate amid rising public discontent over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and poor governance. While Obi and Kwankwaso have gained popularity—especially among youths who are desperate for a shift—Baba-Ahmed remains skeptical about their capacity to drive real change.

Recalling a recent conversation, he said: “You said Kwankwaso and Peter Obi as president of this country—I would say don’t try it. It’s not about the individuals; it’s about this country. This generation in particular has played itself out. It really has nothing to offer the country.”

His remarks offer a sobering perspective on the leadership debate and underscore the need for deeper political reform rather than reliance on new faces from the same old system.

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