Former presidential adviser and ex-spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of failing to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Baba-Ahmed said the current administration has fallen short of expectations, particularly when compared to the Buhari government it succeeded. He argued that the much-anticipated reforms promised by the Tinubu presidency have not translated into improved governance or better living conditions.
He pointed to the controversial removal of the petrol subsidy as a key issue, noting that while it may have been a necessary economic decision, it has not yielded visible benefits for the people. Baba-Ahmed urged the President to ensure that funds saved from subsidy removal are not wasted, especially at the state and local government levels.
“There’s so much waste, abuse of resources, and corruption. The President must ensure that governors—especially those from the ruling APC—use public funds judiciously,” he said.
He emphasized the urgent need for governance reforms across all three tiers of government and called for greater accountability in tackling corruption, insecurity, and poverty.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, Baba-Ahmed gave a bleak assessment of past administrations, saying that each government has performed worse than its predecessor.
“Since 1999, every leadership that has taken over has been worse than the previous one,” he said. “Yar’Adua came in and we had some kind of fresh air. Jonathan took over and ran the country aground. Jonathan governed badly; Buhari didn’t govern at all.”
He also criticized the Tinubu administration for what he described as a poor start, saying it has yet to deliver on its promises, despite favorable international economic assessments.
“They’ll tell you they’re doing great based on World Bank statistics and international ratings. But that’s not how you measure governance. You measure it by how the citizens live,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed concluded by blaming Nigeria’s persistent leadership challenges on selfish political elites who prioritize personal gain over public service.
“Nigeria’s leadership problem lies with those who have aspired and attained power, yet govern in their own interest rather than for the people. Even in the best country, such leaders would still perform poorly,” he said.
Overall, his remarks reflect deep concern over the Tinubu administration’s inability to turn policy reforms into real improvements in governance, urging a renewed focus on transparency, social development, and leadership accountability.
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