Baba-Ahmed Says Tinubu Would Be ‘Worst President’ If Re-Elected in 2027

A former presidential adviser, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would become “the worst president” in Nigeria’s history if returned to office in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as Special Adviser on Political Matters to the president, made the remarks during an appearance on Political Paradigm, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. His comments have since sparked widespread debate across political and social circles.

‘Deterioration’ Since Leaving Office

Speaking during the interview, Baba-Ahmed said he has not observed any meaningful improvement in governance since his resignation from the administration. Instead, he argued that national conditions have worsened.

“Our nation has been a lot more insecure now than when I left,” he said. “What I see at home and on the streets when people speak — the level of desperation and poverty — is most pronounced, especially in the Northern part of the country.”

He also criticised what he described as the president’s strategy of consolidating political alliances ahead of the next election cycle. According to him, relying heavily on political heavyweights to secure a second term reflects poor strategic thinking.

“I see a president who is amassing all the politicians around him with the hope that those politicians are going to deliver him in the second term,” Baba-Ahmed stated. “That is poor thinking. It’s not strategic, and it’s not the Tinubu that we used to hear about.”

He concluded with a blunt assessment: “I’m sorry to say that I think President Tinubu will make the worst president if he returns to power in 2027.”

Mixed Political Reactions

The remarks have drawn sharply divided reactions from members of the public and political commentators.

Critics of the administration argue that the country continues to grapple with inflation, rising living costs, and persistent insecurity in several regions. Some opposition voices claim that key economic reforms have imposed heavy burdens on citizens without delivering sufficient relief or stability.

Supporters of the president, however, dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s comments as politically motivated. They maintain that the administration inherited deep structural challenges and has embarked on difficult but necessary reforms aimed at long-term economic stabilization. Pro-government commentators also argue that it is premature to judge the full impact of policies that require time to yield measurable results.

Several voices online described the former adviser’s statement as speculative and lacking concrete policy alternatives. Others countered that his insider perspective lends credibility to his concerns.

The Road to 2027

As Nigeria moves closer to the next general election cycle, political alignments and realignments are expected to intensify. The president’s camp is believed to be consolidating support across regions, while opposition figures are positioning themselves to challenge the ruling party’s dominance.

The 2027 contest is likely to revolve around key issues such as economic management, insecurity, poverty alleviation, and electoral reforms. Analysts suggest that public sentiment in the coming months will be heavily influenced by improvements — or further deterioration — in living conditions.

Baba-Ahmed’s comments underscore growing tensions within segments of the political establishment and reflect broader anxieties about governance and national direction. Whether his warning resonates widely with voters or is dismissed as partisan criticism remains to be seen.

For now, the statement has added another layer of intensity to Nigeria’s evolving political discourse, signaling that the battle lines for 2027 may already be forming.