Most Northerners Voted Tinubu As Religious Obligation

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to President Bola Tinubu, has said Northern Nigerians must take accountability for the current administration’s shortcomings, noting that many voted for Tinubu based on religious sentiments rather than leadership competence.

In a piece published on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed reflected on his engagement with graduate students studying Governance and Public Policy. He revealed that during a classroom discussion, students questioned his involvement in the Tinubu administration, despite widespread concerns about its capacity to deliver effective governance.

He responded that he accepted the advisory role out of a sense of duty to contribute to national rebuilding efforts after years of mismanagement, which he had publicly criticized in the past.

According to Baba-Ahmed, a large portion of Tinubu’s support base came from the North, primarily among Muslims, who saw voting for the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a religious obligation rather than a decision rooted in merit.

“Many Northern Muslims believed it was their religious duty to support Tinubu, not necessarily because of his leadership qualities,” he said.

He also pointed out that several Northern governors played critical roles in ensuring a Southern candidate emerged and ultimately helped secure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election. Some of these figures now hold top positions within the current administration.

Baba-Ahmed cautioned that the North cannot distance itself from the outcomes of the government it helped bring to power. He emphasized that by prioritizing region and religion over national interest, many voters compromised the country’s governance trajectory.

“If responsibility is to be placed, it lies with those who allowed religion and regional loyalty to dictate their electoral choices,” he concluded.