Former Special Adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Urges Nigerians to Demand Real Action on Insecurity and Economic Hardship from Tinubu’s Administration
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political Affairs, has issued a strong appeal to Nigerians, urging citizens to hold the government accountable for the persistent insecurity and economic difficulties ravaging the country. In a candid and insightful column published on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed criticized the current administration for failing to adequately address the daily struggles faced by millions since President Tinubu assumed office nearly two years ago.
According to Baba-Ahmed, Nigerians should no longer remain silent or passive in the face of growing insecurity and widespread poverty. Instead, he implored them to raise their voices and demand that the government show greater urgency, creativity, and commitment in tackling these pressing challenges.
“This administration has roughly two years left in its tenure,” Baba-Ahmed wrote. “Nigerians, frustrated and aggrieved by its performance so far, have a choice to make. We can insist that the government intensifies its efforts to combat the rampant insecurity that has come to define our daily lives, or we can resign ourselves to enduring the ongoing scourge of killers, kidnappers, and escalating distrust among communities until the next election cycle in 2027.”
The former presidential aide emphasized the need for Nigerians to be vocal not only about insecurity but also about the soaring cost of living that continues to erode livelihoods across the country. He drew attention to the tragic rise in poverty levels and the disconnect between government pronouncements and the harsh realities on the ground.
“It is critical that we call out the crippling cost of living, the tragic increase in the number of desperately poor citizens, and the endless barrage of statistics and press releases that do little more than reinforce the perception that this administration is out of touch with the realities Nigerians face,” he asserted.
Baba-Ahmed also highlighted the political implications of the current administration’s approach, warning that President Tinubu’s government risks replicating the mistakes of the past if it persists with poor governance and reliance on electoral manipulation to maintain power.
He pointed out that, despite President Tinubu’s ambitious inaugural address promising change, the current ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) bears many similarities to the previous Buhari administration. “In many ways, this APC administration is an offshoot of Buhari’s era,” Baba-Ahmed noted, “despite the optimistic rhetoric from the President’s office.”
The former spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expressed concern that the APC is playing the regional card as part of its strategy to justify an eight-year tenure, ostensibly to ensure that every Nigerian, particularly in the South, feels fully represented and integrated into the nation’s governance.
“This administration is attracting defectors from opposition parties like flies to an open sewer, systematically weakening the ability of other political forces to mount a credible challenge in 2027,” Baba-Ahmed warned. “It will continue to amass wealth while in power, knowing full well the decisive role money plays in elections.”
He described a troubling scenario where the government enlists political operatives and mobilizers who manipulate votes, echoing tactics seen in previous elections, including the use of religious leaders to influence voters. The administration is expected to spend vast sums of money to sway voters who have been economically starved for years, offering them small financial incentives that may represent their only tangible benefit in nearly a decade of democracy.
“This government will deepen the divisions within our country, carving it up along ethnic and regional lines,” Baba-Ahmed cautioned. “It will exacerbate existing fault lines and erode the bonds that hold us together, making it even harder to heal a nation that has already paid a heavy price for democracy—with the blood of its citizens and the uncertain future of its youth.”
His critique serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for Nigerian leaders to rethink their governance approach and for citizens to remain vigilant and proactive. Baba-Ahmed’s message is clear: the future of Nigeria depends on collective action to demand accountability, promote unity, and prioritize policies that genuinely improve the lives of all Nigerians.
As the 2027 elections approach, the former adviser’s words resonate as both a warning and a call to action—a plea for Nigerians to refuse complacency and insist on a government that addresses their security concerns, economic hardships, and aspirations for a better, more inclusive Nigeria.
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