Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He noted that despite the President’s widely acknowledged brilliance, he has yet to resolve the nation’s many challenges.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme, Baba-Ahmed offered candid advice. He suggested President Tinubu should drop any plans for a 2027 re-election bid. Instead, Baba-Ahmed proposed Tinubu should identify and support a younger replacement from within his own party.

Baba-Ahmed, who resigned as a special adviser on political affairs in the Vice President’s office in April, maintained his stance. He argued that President Tinubu has not shown sufficient zeal or determination to fix the country’s woes.

Recalling his departure from the administration, Baba-Ahmed shared a consistent view. “I’m sorry, but I have to say this again,” he stated. “When I left his administration, one of the things I told many people was, ‘I wish President Tinubu would not run again in 2027.’”

He further elaborated on his reasoning. “First, he said his ambition was to be president. He has now achieved that,” Baba-Ahmed explained. “He said, ‘emi lokan’ (it’s my turn), and he had his turn. But I don’t think he has run the country well.”

Baba-Ahmed contrasted the current situation with the President’s past reputation. “The Tinubu we used to know, the Tinubu with all this brilliant intelligence for scheming, hasn’t shown that same hunger to fix things,” he observed.

His recommendation was clear: “He should find a replacement within his party. A younger person, a healthier person, a more focused person, and make him his candidate.”

Baba-Ahmed believes the President possesses the necessary influence. “He can, if he can run this government, get all these people out of the PDP to come and join him,” he added. “He has amongst every power that he needs, but he’s not running the country.”

Reflecting on national crises, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern. “Let’s go back to this Trump thing; I didn’t see a president who should respond to an emergency or a challenge in this manner, with the manner and spirit that he should. I didn’t see it. And it’s not just on this issue.”

He concluded with a stark assessment of Nigeria’s current state. “The truth is that Nigeria has deteriorated so badly that we cannot continue to run things as if they’re normal,” Baba-Ahmed emphasized.