Baba-Ahmed Claims Buhari Saw Tinubu as ‘Bad News’ and Resisted His Presidency
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, PRP National Chairman, claims former President Buhari opposed Bola Tinubu's succession, believing it detrimental to Nigeria. He criticizes Tinubu's administration for economic hardship and prioritizing ambition, while revealing efforts by opposition parties to form a coalition to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. These claims highlight growing political tensions and economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari resisted pressure from political allies who wanted President Bola Tinubu to succeed him in 2023, allegedly viewing a Tinubu presidency as “bad news” for Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed made the claim at a summit organised by the Northern Elders Forum, in remarks published in a video on Symfoni’s YouTube channel.
He also criticised Tinubu’s “Emilokan” declaration, a Yoruba expression meaning “it is my turn”, during the build-up to the 2023 general election, arguing that Nigerians should have questioned the idea of treating the presidency as an individual’s entitlement. “We have a presidency of a country of 250 million people. My turn? To do what? To become president,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed accused the Tinubu administration of worsening Nigeria’s condition since taking office, claiming that “every index of failure” was evident under the current government. He alleged that Tinubu was prioritising his ambition to secure a second term over the welfare of Nigerians and argued that the country could not afford further deterioration.
The PRP chairman also criticised the president for relying on political associates to promote his re-election bid rather than personally appealing to Nigerians, while faulting northern governors for failing to adequately communicate the region’s economic hardship and public dissatisfaction.
Despite his criticism, Baba-Ahmed expressed confidence in Nigerians’ resilience, saying the country would survive what he described as “four years of abuse, neglect, and plunder” under the Tinubu administration.
On the 2027 presidential election, Baba-Ahmed said opposition parties were working towards a coalition to challenge Tinubu, with members prepared to set aside their differences and pool resources behind a common candidate. He urged Nigerians opposed to Tinubu’s re-election to support whoever emerges as the coalition’s flag-bearer, while calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election reflects voters’ wishes.
Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), succeeding Buhari after the former president’s two terms in office. Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to foreign-exchange management; his administration has defended the measures as necessary for economic reform, while rising living costs and pressure on household purchasing power have fuelled public concern.