THIS DAWN — A former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has sparked nationwide debate after declaring that he hopes President Tinubu will not seek re-election in 2027.
Baba-Ahmed made the comments during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
He said the President has already achieved his lifelong ambition of occupying the highest office in the country and should allow a more suitable candidate to emerge.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the Tinubu administration has not delivered the kind of leadership Nigerians expected.
He argued that since assuming office, the President has struggled to provide clear direction and has not demonstrated the political sharpness and strategic brilliance he was once widely credited for.
He accused the President of “running an economy, not a country”.
Baba-Ahmed said Tinubu has fixated too heavily on economic statistics and fiscal engineering.
Meanwhile, he has failed to offer the human-centered leadership, empathy, and national cohesion required in a period of deep social and economic hardship.
Disconnected from Nigerians
Baba-Ahmed noted that many Nigerians feel disconnected from the administration’s reform agenda, which he said has placed unbearable pressure on ordinary citizens.
According to him, the government’s policies have yet to translate into improvements in living conditions, security, or trust in national leadership.
The former presidential adviser also warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against fielding Tinubu again.
He insisted that the party must look toward “someone younger and healthier” if it intends to remain competitive in 2027.
He argued that a new face would help rebuild public confidence and offer Nigerians a more energetic leadership style capable of navigating the country through its multiple crises.
His remarks come at a time of intense political speculation, with several APC leaders quietly positioning themselves for future relevance.
While the Presidency has not responded to Baba-Ahmed’s comments, the statement has triggered reactions across the political spectrum.
Supporters and critics of the administration try to interpret his position through partisan lenses.
As political calculations for 2027 gradually intensify, Baba-Ahmed’s intervention adds to mounting questions about President Tinubu’s intentions—and whether the ruling party will chart a new course or insist on continuity.
