Ex-Tinubu Adviser Speaks Out: “This Government Lacks the Drive”
In a stinging rebuke that could reverberate across Nigeria’s political establishment, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has ruled out any return to the administration, branding it as visionless and uncommitted to resolving the country’s core challenges.
Speaking during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed didn’t mince words.
“The way the Tinubu government is going—no, I won’t go back. I’ve done my bit,” he stated.
From Resignation to Rejection
Appointed in 2023 under Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office, Baba-Ahmed submitted his resignation in April 2025. While his initial exit was without controversy, the tone and content of his latest comments have turned heads across political circles.
“This administration does not inspire belief. It doesn’t show commitment. There’s no sense of urgency,” he said.
“We cannot keep pretending that this country is moving forward.”
Baba-Ahmed made it clear that his decision to walk away stemmed from a growing disillusionment with the leadership’s failure to tackle rising poverty and rampant insecurity—especially in the northern region, where he said the government’s absence has been most devastating.
A Government “Losing Its Mandate”?
The former aide raised serious concerns about the administration’s legitimacy, implying that the people’s trust had eroded since the inauguration.
He said:
“This is no longer about loyalty or political correctness. I could not, in good conscience, continue working with a government that no longer holds the moral mandate to lead change.”
This statement has been interpreted by analysts as a veiled warning to others within the Tinubu cabinet—many of whom are reportedly disillusioned but remain silent.
Criticism of Political Double-Dealers
Baba-Ahmed didn’t stop with the government alone. He lashed out at Nigeria’s wider political culture, especially politicians who leap between parties to serve personal interests.
“If I were to go back, I would be no better than the politicians who hop between parties like they’re changing clothes. That’s not leadership. That’s self-service.”
This indirect jab may also speak to ongoing power struggles within both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where defections and ideological flip-flops are common.
A Ripple Effect in the North?
His resignation is particularly significant given Baba-Ahmed’s strong ties in the northern region—a region that delivered massive electoral support to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in 2023.
Analysts warn that such a public fallout could hurt Tinubu’s credibility in the north, especially as insecurity worsens in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Sokoto.
Political analyst Fatima Yunusa told IDNN:
“Baba-Ahmed has a moral voice in the north. When he speaks this bluntly, it reflects the growing unrest within the core Tinubu base.”
What Happens Next?
While the presidency has yet to issue an official response, insiders suggest Baba-Ahmed’s revelations have caused unease in Aso Rock.
With political realignments brewing ahead of the 2027 general elections, this resignation could be an early sign of a deeper fracture within the ruling bloc.
For now, Baba-Ahmed says he’s “at peace” with his decision.
“I did my best. I’ve left with my integrity intact. Nigeria deserves better leadership than this.”
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