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Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, has claimed that Nigeria’s economy has deteriorated under President Bola Tinubu compared to the tenure of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed criticised the current administration’s economic management and explained the reasons behind his resignation, his open letter urging President Tinubu not to contest in 2027, and the political instability marked by ongoing defections.
He stated, “It is worse than Buhari left it,” when commenting on the state of the economy.
Baba-Ahmed served for 17 months before stepping down. He highlighted the adverse effects of the Tinubu government’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have driven inflation to 34.6% as of November 2024, up from 22.41% in May 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
He criticised the government’s reliance on statistics that, in his view, do not reflect the dire realities on the ground: “Go to the villages, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Benue—go everywhere. More blood is shed now than two years ago. Yet the government claims otherwise. Does the president truly know how Nigerians live?”
Reflecting on Tinubu’s past, Baba-Ahmed said he initially believed the president would lead effectively, considering his political resilience and governance experience as Lagos State governor. However, he now questions Tinubu’s performance and drive.
He revealed that although appointed with the consent of both the vice president and president, his advisory role was stifled. “I did not do any job,” he said. “If I met the president, I would have told him the same thing I wrote in my letter: ‘Mr President, please do not run again in 2027.’”
Baba-Ahmed argued that Tinubu should focus on fixing the country rather than seeking re-election. “Spend the next two years fixing Nigeria—revive the economy, tackle insecurity, and pass the baton to a younger, healthier, more committed leader,” he urged.
On whether Tinubu has the capacity to govern beyond 2027, Baba-Ahmed said, “I haven’t seen evidence in the last two years that he is prepared to continue for another six. He doesn’t need to be president to do good for this country.”
He also criticised the tribal lens through which leadership is often viewed. “At this point, it doesn’t matter where the next president comes from. What matters is their competence, vision, and ability to lead.”
Baba-Ahmed confirmed he would not return to the administration even if invited. “Not for anything. I’ve done my bit. It didn’t work out. I have to move on.”
He admitted regretting backing Buhari in 2015, but stressed that his support was not due to ethnicity. “We supported Buhari because he was a better option than Jonathan. He was perceived to be tough on corruption and governance.”
On Buhari’s legacy, he said, “I haven’t seen leadership that governed so poorly and cared so little about security, poverty, or youth futures.”
Baba-Ahmed concluded that while he had hoped Tinubu’s administration would correct Buhari’s failures, he was disillusioned by the worsening state of the nation.
