-Former Presidential Aide Demands Tinubu Step Aside in 2027
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Vice-President, has delivered a scathing indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, demanding he relinquish power in 2027. In a fiery open letter, Baba-Ahmed urged Tinubu to abandon his re-election ambitions, arguing that the nation requires a “new generation of Nigerians” to steer it toward progress. “Step aside – not for your opponents, but for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas,” he wrote, challenging the president to create a “peaceful, historic transformation.”
“Closed-Door” Leadership and Ethnic Bias Alleged
Baba-Ahmed painted a picture of a president detached from the realities of the nation, accusing Tinubu of a “closed-door style of leadership” and “apparent indifference to complaints of ethnic bias in appointments.” He further alleged that Tinubu’s frequent overseas trips to attend to “personal matters” have fostered an image of an “isolated leader heading an insular administration.” The ex-aide asserted that Tinubu’s inner circle lacks the necessary “discipline or inspiration” to effectively address Nigeria’s mounting challenges.
Nationwide Dissatisfaction and Regional Alienation
The former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) warned of growing discontent across Nigeria’s diverse regions. “The north is drifting from your leadership under the weight of economic hardship, insecurity, and alienation,” he stated, highlighting the region’s deepening frustration. He also pointed to the “politically disengaged” east, the “fragmented” south-south, and the “lukewarm” south-west, suggesting a widespread erosion of public trust in the administration. “Nigerians across the regions are dissatisfied with the Tinubu government,” he declared, painting a grim picture of national unity.
Cabinet Incompetence and Failed Communication Strategy
Baba-Ahmed did not spare the president’s cabinet, asserting that “more than half…has no business managing an administration tasked with improving security, livelihoods, or public trust.” He dismissed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as “a set of campaign promises, not a coherent governance plan.” Furthermore, he condemned the administration’s communication strategy, stating that the “crowd of spokespersons…often confuse rather than clarify your policies.” He stressed the need for a “strong engagement strategy” to build national consensus, a strategy he believes is sorely lacking.
Warning Against Prioritizing Re-election Over Governance
The former presidential aide cautioned Tinubu against prioritizing his re-election over addressing the nation’s pressing issues. “If you shift attention now to electoral ambitions, you risk losing both governance momentum and public goodwill,” he warned. He also emphasized that winning re-election without reforming his “style and strategy” would only prolong failure, potentially leading to the complete erasure of his legacy. Baba-Ahmed concluded by urging Tinubu to focus on the “harshness of life for the average Nigerian,” a task he believes the president is failing to execute.
