Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, claiming both men pursued the presidency for personal ambitions rather than national interest.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed alleged that Buhari had no genuine intention of governing Nigeria, stating: “He just wanted to become a president.”
He drew parallels between Buhari and Tinubu, suggesting both men were motivated more by personal fulfilment than a desire to improve the country.
“They have laboured in the political process for so long that it became about them. That is the wrong reason to seek political power. You want power so that you can govern people and improve things – it must never be about you,” he said.
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Baba-Ahmed, a member of the Northern Elders Forum and former senior adviser to President Tinubu, also revealed that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) just six months into Buhari’s presidency, citing concerns over leadership direction. He is currently a member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
He further addressed his recent resignation from Tinubu’s administration, saying his departure came as no surprise to the Northern Elders Forum. “Some members of the Northern Elders Forum knew about my feelings about the job, about the administration, about the direction this country was going,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, citing widespread hunger, insecurity, and violence. “Nobody would tell you that they are entirely happy with the way the country is going. There is too much hunger, insecurity, and bloodshed.”
On the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, Baba-Ahmed warned President Tinubu against choosing a new vice president from the Northwest region, describing it as “risky” following Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
“The President cannot go to the Northwest because the late Buhari just finished his eight years; going to the Northwest is a bit risky,” he said.
However, he suggested Kano could be a possible option, noting that the electoral gap between the APC and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state was only about 500,000 votes in 2023.
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Speculation has grown that President Tinubu may consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the next general election.
Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the NNPP, has been mentioned as a potential replacement. Kwankwaso was recently seen at the Presidential Villa during an event attended by Shettima, though he declined to speak with journalists.
