Former presidential adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on political matters, Hakeem Baba Ahmed has urged Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of faith, unity, and responsible leadership as Muslims prepare to conclude the Ramadan fast.
Baba Ahmed made the remarks during an interview from 2:39 on the State of the Nation programme on Trust TV on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, where he spoke about the significance of the fasting period for both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
Speaking during the interview, he noted that the fasting periods observed by Muslims during Ramadan and by Christians during Lent had coincided this year, describing the moment as significant for the country. He said: “In a few days time, Muslims will break the Ramadan fast as Allah has prescribed on Muslims. By coincidence, millions of Christians have also fasted at around the same time that Muslims fasted in the month of Ramadan.”
Baba Ahmed added that the development carries an important message for the country. He stated: “There’s a profound lesson in this. Nigeria is a nation of very religious people. Both Muslims and Christians, all of us, and even those who are not Christians or Muslims, take our faith very seriously.” He further said: “We guard it with jealousy, we want to protect it, we want others to respect our faith, and we have been asked by God to respect and protect the faith of others.”
During the discussion, Baba Ahmed also spoke about challenges facing the country and the global community. He said: “The lesson here is that we have challenges ahead of us, both as a nation and as part of the world we live in, that are telling us that we are moving very far away from the dictates and demands of our God.”
He continued: “The world is a lot more insecure than it is. There’s a lot of poverty in the land. Our hearts have hardened. Our levels of compassion and concern for each other, intolerance has been reduced to a point where we are dangerously close to fighting each other on many fronts.”
Baba Ahmed also addressed insecurity affecting communities across the country. He stated: “Indeed we are fighting in many fronts. Our lives have become a lot more insecure. Criminals are killing Muslims, Christians are killing, criminals are killing Christians, and we’re being pitted against each other.”
He expressed hope that the period of prayer and sacrifice would inspire reflection among both leaders and citizens. He said: “My hope is that in this period of sacrifice, we would have prayed to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to show our leaders the right way to correct what is wrong with this country, because clearly there is something wrong with Nigeria.”
Baba Ahmed also spoke about the political climate ahead of future elections. He stated: “A lot of our politicians and leaders have given us rice, they have given us some money. We are virtually in a campaign mood, and the next one, in one year, this time next year, we would have known who we have elected, hopefully in a free and fair election.” He added: “So we are set for very trying times. It is important to pray as we are concluding the fasting, that Allah will guide us to choose good leaders.”
Baba Ahmed concluded by appealing to leaders to act with a sense of accountability. He said: “Leaders who will lead because they recognize the burden and challenges of leadership, not because they want to fulfill an ego.” He added: “Leaders who know what to do to bring an end to the killings, the bloodshedding, the poverty, and the hatred in our hearts.”
In his closing remarks, Baba Ahmed extended greetings to Nigerians observing the end of the fasting season. He said: “I wish everybody a happy Salah, a happy end to the lent fasting, and I appeal to our leaders to fear God.” Read_More…