Baba-Ahmed: Buhari is Nigeria’s Worst President, Offers Perspective on Jonathan’s Governance
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Vice President Kashim Shettima, has harshly criticized the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling his term the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”
During an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed bemoaned the administration’s shortcomings and charged Buhari of putting the position above governance.
His disenchantment with the government was reportedly shared by Baba-Ahmed, who had originally backed Buhari’s ascent to office.
He stated that although many Nigerians backed Buhari over former President Goodluck Jonathan because they believed he would be able to unite the nation and fight corruption, he was dissatisfied with his leadership style.
The north was not represented by Buhari. We thought Buhari was a better candidate than Goodluck Jonathan at the time, not because he was from the north, Baba-Ahmed stated.
“We thought he’d be tough on corruption and could unify the country, because Jonathan was soft on Boko Haram, etc.” he added. However, he proved to be the reverse.
Baba-Ahmed did not think twice about calling Buhari’s administration the worst in Nigerian history. Using his seventy years of experience, he clarified that Buhari’s administration neglected governance and neglected to put the needs of the impoverished first.
I’m 70 years old, and I can say that, in my experience, we haven’t had a worse government than Buhari’s. Baba-Ahmed remarked, “I haven’t seen a government that failed more at setting priorities, governing less, or caring less for the poor.”
Looking back on his early backing of Buhari, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that he had great expectations for the administration but quickly realized the President was more concerned with maintaining his office’s status than providing effective governance.
Read Also: 43
“I participated actively in his campaign. For four years, I chaired his party in my state. Months into his term, however, it became clear that he was more concerned with holding the office than with running the government.
He disclosed that “we began with private advice, then moved to public criticism when it became clear he wouldn’t listen.”
When questioned about his experience in the Tinubu administration, Baba-Ahmed said that while he had no regrets about entering the government, he would not choose to do it again given the direction the leadership is currently taking.
“No, I have no regrets about entering.” However, I wouldn’t do it again given the current course. I failed to see the passion, dedication, and fervor to rebuild a nation that was in disarray. “I perceived more of a front,” he said.
Although President Bola Tinubu made audacious pledges during the 2023 elections, including cutting subsidies and enacting strict reforms, Baba-Ahmed noted that these measures lacked sufficient planning.
In 2023, Nigerians cast their ballots for Tinubu in the hopes that he would improve the nation. Although he promised strict reforms and eliminated subsidies, he wasn’t really ready. As issues arise, his advisors are rushing to address them. “There is a significant gap between rhetoric and reality,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Additionally, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern about the nation’s rising level of insecurity, especially in states like Niger, Plateau, and Benue.
Even as the government released contradictory statistics claiming a decrease in violence, he criticized the government for failing to address the rising levels of violence.
“Go to Benue, Plateau, and Niger—more blood is being shed now than two years ago. However, they publish figures that indicate a decrease in violence. These numbers—who provides them? “Do they have any idea how Nigerians live?” he inquired.
