Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has expressed his hope that the President will not seek re-election in 2027.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Baba-Ahmed criticized Tinubu’s performance, saying the President has not shown the same drive and determination to address Nigeria’s challenges as he once demonstrated in his political career.
“I’m sorry, but I must say this again. When I left his administration, I told many people that I wish President Tinubu would not run again in 2027,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“His ambition was to be president, and he has achieved that. He said ‘Emilokan,’ and he had his turn. But I don’t think he has governed the country effectively. The Tinubu we knew, with all his hunger and brilliant intelligence for strategizing, hasn’t shown that same hunger to fix things.”
Baba-Ahmed suggested that, having achieved his personal goal of becoming Nigeria’s president, Tinubu should identify and support a younger, more focused candidate within his party for the 2027 election.
“He should find someone younger, healthier, and more focused within his party to lead Nigeria and make that person his candidate,” he said.
Although President Tinubu has not formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed him for a second term in May 2025.
At the APC national summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 22, 2025, the Progressives Governors’ Forum passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu. The forum’s members, all APC governors, confirmed their support for his potential re-election.
Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, said the forum was satisfied with the midterm review and performance evaluation of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We acknowledge the resolution of these governors that Mr. President carries our flag in 2027, and the governors will take responsibility for delivering this mandate in their states,” Uzodimma said.
