A former political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to rethink its 2027 strategy, saying the President has not demonstrated the urgency required to confront Nigeria’s deepening challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, November 30, Baba-Ahmed said he believes the President has already fulfilled his personal ambition and may not be the right figure to lead the country into another term.
“I’m sorry, but I have to say this again. 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 said.
Baba-Ahmed argued that Tinubu’s famed political energy has not translated into the type of governance Nigerians expected.
“First, he said his ambition was to be president, and he has now achieved that. He said ‘Emilokan,’ and he had his turn. But I don’t think he has run the country well.
“The Tinubu we used to know, the Tinubu with all the hunger and brilliant intelligence for scheming, hasn’t shown that same hunger to fix things,” he said.
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He suggested that the APC should consider grooming a younger and more focused candidate to lead the party into the next election.
“He should find someone within his party, a younger person, a healthier person, a more focused person and make him his candidate, he can,” he said.
His remarks come despite the APC’s formal endorsement of Tinubu for a second term during its May 22, 2025 national summit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Progressives Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said the governors were confident in the President’s performance.
“We acknowledge the resolution of these governors that Mr President carries our flag in 2027 and the governors take responsibility for delivering this mandate in their states,” Uzodimma said.
Baba-Ahmed’s comments deepen ongoing debates within the ruling party over succession, performance, and the political direction of the Tinubu government.