Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has warned that President Tinubu would become the “worst president” in Nigeria’s history if he returns to power in the 2027 general election, citing deteriorating governance, insecurity and economic hardship. Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, during a televised interview in Abuja as political discourse around the next election intensifies. During the interview on Channels Television’s “Political Paradigm,”
Baba-Ahmed said he has seen “a deterioration” in national conditions since his departure from the administration and criticised what he described as President Tinubu’s reliance on political alliances rather than addressing core challenges. He stated, “I haven’t seen any improvement in the records of President Tinubu since I left. On the contrary, I have seen a deterioration… The nation is a lot more insecure now… levels of desperation and poverty are more pronounced.”
Baba-Ahmed specifically rejected the idea that President Tinubu’s current strategy would lead to electoral success, describing the repeated gathering of political allies to secure a second term as “poor thinking.” He said, “He will make an even worse president if he comes back in 2027,” emphasising that the leadership lacks the drive needed to confront the country’s pressing security and economic woes. The comments come amid growing debate over Nigeria’s political future as the 2027 elections approach, with various stakeholders expressing concern about governance, transparency and electoral strategy.
Baba-Ahmed, who resigned from the presidency in April 2025, has previously called for focus on credible leadership and warned that inaction on core national issues could deepen public hardship.