Former Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, issued a stark assessment of the current administration, advising the President against seeking re-election in 2027. Baba-Ahmed, who also served as spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), cited a “laid-back” leadership style, age, and a failure to rectify the “badly damaged” nation inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Baba-Ahmed stated that President Tinubu’s approach to governance is unsuitable for Nigeria’s current crises. “I know nothing will make him a better president in another four years in office,” he said, emphasizing the need for a leader who is “honest, energetic, educated, and competent” to reunite the country and restore hope.
The former adviser drew a direct line between the two successive APC governments, offering a grim comparison: “I have not seen much difference between the two.” He characterized Buhari’s tenure as having done “great damage to the country,” but argued that Tinubu has failed to fix it, leading to “even worse outcomes.” He concluded, “Buhari abdicated his responsibilities for eight years, while Tinubu’s two years in office have, in effect, made Buhari the second worst.”
Addressing claims that he was less critical of former President Buhari, Baba-Ahmed pushed back forcefully, calling such assertions “complete nonsense.” He recounted leading efforts in 2019 to warn Nigerians against re-electing Buhari due to poor performance.
Baba-Ahmed believes opposition parties can defeat the APC in 2027 if they unite behind a credible candidate and a compelling message focused on security and economic revival. However, he warned that the opposition is currently hampered by infighting and is “not yet radical enough to effect such change.” He also criticized the APC as a “refuge for selfish politicians” seeking “political comfort” and protection from prosecution.
Explaining his decision to resign from a coveted political appointment, Baba-Ahmed described an atmosphere of idleness and dysfunction. “The President operated largely on his own,” he claimed. “I became tired of staying idle and decided to quit,” stating his ideological alignment with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) made it impossible to remain silent.
Dismissing allegations that his criticism is rooted in regional bias, Baba-Ahmed asserted, “Ethnicity is irrelevant to me.” He reiterated that his critiques are based solely on performance and a leader’s failure to use power for the national good, regardless of their origin.
Baba-Ahmed highlighted a significant gap between elite political endorsements and popular opinion, suggesting that many officials cannot safely return to their constituencies without police protection—a sign of a deep disconnect with the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
The interview presents a damning insider perspective on the challenges facing Nigeria’s leadership and the urgent calls for a new direction as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
