Omoluabi Coalition Condemns Baba-Ahmed's Call for Atiku to Step Aside as Intellectually Dishonest
The Omoluabi Coalition has issued a strong rebuke against Hakeem Baba-Ahmed's repeated public calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. In a statement signed by Convener Olumide Obayemi, the coalition described Baba-Ahmed's actions as intellectually dishonest and aimed at weakening Nigeria's opposition ahead of the crucial elections.
Criticism of Baba-Ahmed's Political Involvement
The coalition expressed deep concern about Baba-Ahmed's involvement in opposition politics, calling his behavior duplicitous and questioning his true loyalties. The group emphasized that Atiku Abubakar's decision to run for president is a personal and constitutional right that should not be subject to approval from self-appointed political gatekeepers.
"It is both ironic and revealing," the statement declared, "that a man who claims non-partisanship has found nothing fundamentally wrong with an administration that has wrecked livelihoods, but finds endless fault with an opposition seeking to rescue the country."
Questioning Loyalties and Political Consistency
The coalition noted with concern that since leaving President Bola Tinubu's administration, Baba-Ahmed has refrained from criticizing a government responsible for significant economic hardship. Instead, he has focused his attacks on opposition figures, particularly targeting the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This pattern of behavior has raised serious questions about Baba-Ahmed's political motivations and whether he might be unwittingly supporting President Tinubu's re-election campaign through his actions.
Defending Democratic Rights and Opposition Unity
The Omoluabi Coalition strongly defended the rights of all Nigerians to express their political aspirations peacefully. They criticized Baba-Ahmed for what they see as attempts to undermine discussions about political succession and leadership ambitions within opposition circles.
"No individual—certainly not Hakeem Baba-Ahmed—has the moral or democratic authority to criminalise political demands simply because he disagrees with them," the coalition asserted. "Supporters of Peter Obi are entitled to their views, just as supporters of Atiku Abubakar or any other aspirant are. Democracy does not require silence; it requires engagement."
Accusations of Stoking Internal Tensions
The group went further to accuse Baba-Ahmed of actively stoking internal tensions within opposition ranks in what appears to be a calculated attempt to fracture unity and hand advantage to the ruling party. They expressed particular concern about his family's public hostility toward Peter Obi, suggesting this might represent a coordinated effort to disrupt opposition cohesion.
"We challenge Hakeem Baba-Ahmed to clarify his position," the statement concluded, directly questioning whether he operates as an independent voice or serves other political interests through his public interventions.
The coalition's strong statement reflects growing tensions within Nigeria's political landscape as the country prepares for the 2027 elections, with opposition groups increasingly vigilant about what they perceive as attempts to undermine their unity and electoral prospects.
