Key Points
- Baba-Ahmed spoke on Channels TV on Sunday night. He told Tinubu to quit any 2027 re-election plans.
- He said the president lacks the drive to fix Nigeria. He urged backing of a younger, more focused APC candidate.
- He warned the country cannot keep running as if normal. He said urgent action is needed to stop further decline.
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said President Bola Tinubu should not run again. He made the call on Channels TV on Sunday night.
He said Tinubu must back a younger APC candidate instead. Baba-Ahmed also criticised recent federal government moves on security. He pointed to the police withdrawal from VIP duty as an example.
He said the president had already met his personal goal. He argued Tinubu lacks the hunger and focus to govern.
Why he says Tinubu should step back
Baba-Ahmed said Tinubu used great political skill to win. But he said those skills have not fixed national problems.
He warned that Nigeria has worsened and needs urgent repair. He said running as if things were normal is dangerous.
He urged Tinubu to find a younger person inside APC. He said this follows other public calls for Tinubu to resign.
Baba-Ahmed resigned as special adviser in April this year. He served as a political aide to the vice-president. His critics often praised his frank public comments and analysis.
He referenced recent security steps as signs of mismanagement. Those moves include shifts in police duty and fund choices. He warned such moves may weaken public safety across Nigeria.
Analysts say the president faces rising public frustration on many fronts. They point to security, cost of living, and power outages. Many voters want clearer steps and faster government answers.
Some APC members may resist a public call to step down. Party unity is central to any 2027 re-election strategy. A change of candidate would require wide party agreement and talks.
Baba-Ahmed said a younger candidate could unite different party wings. He urged Tinubu to use his influence for that shift. He suggested outreach to opposition members for broader support.
Opposition voices have already called for change in leadership. Some called Tinubu to resign in viral public posts recently. Those posts added pressure to the wider national debate.
The president faces legal and political hurdles if he stepped aside. Any exit would need clear legal steps and party votes. Experts say constitutional rules must guide any leadership change.
Baba-Ahmed’s view adds a public voice from the north. Northern leaders often shape national political conversations and choices. His remarks may also affect vote calculations ahead of 2027.
Civil groups said they want answers on security and services. They asked for clear info on spending and public safety plans. Many said leadership clarity would calm political uncertainty and fears.
The question of a successor within APC remains unsettled. Potential names are circulating in private party talks and forums. Any public endorsement by Tinubu would shape the internal race.
For now the debate is public and likely to grow. Voters and analysts will watch party meetings and local town halls. The outcome will matter for 2027 campaign strategies across Nigeria
