Harry Archie
The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said former President Muhammadu Buhari resisted pressure from some politicians who wanted Bola Tinubu to succeed him because he believed Tinubu’s presidency would be harmful to Nigeria.
Baba-Ahmed made the claim at a summit organised by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
He also accused Tinubu’s administration of pushing Nigeria into a difficult situation, arguing that the president’s ambition to seek re-election in 2027 should not take priority over the country’s interests.
In a video published on Symfoni’s YouTube channel, Baba-Ahmed said Nigerians should have questioned Tinubu’s presidential ambition when he used the slogan “Emilokan,” which means “It is my turn,” during preparations for the 2023 election.
“Even Buhari saw Tinubu as bad news for this country. To be fair to him, he did not support him. Buhari resisted some people who insisted that Tinubu had to succeed him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He argued that the presidency of a country with about 250 million people should not be treated as something an individual is entitled to claim.
“Nigerians should have realised that something was wrong the day Tinubu said, ‘It is my turn.’ We are talking about the presidency of a country with 250 million people. Your turn to do what? To become president?” he asked.
Baba-Ahmed also accused Tinubu’s administration of failing in several areas, saying Nigerians had faced increasing hardship since he took office.
“He has dragged the country to the lowest point possible. This must stop. We cannot continue falling further below where we are now,” he said.
He accused the president of putting his political ambition ahead of the welfare of Nigerians, arguing that one person’s desire to remain in power should not endanger the country’s future.
He also criticised northern governors for allegedly failing to draw Tinubu’s attention to the economic difficulties and growing public dissatisfaction in the region.
Despite his criticism of the government, Baba-Ahmed expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges.
“We are a resilient people. We have faced crises worse than this and survived. We will survive this one too because Nigeria must endure for our children and grandchildren,” he said.
Opposition parties plan alliance ahead of 2027On the 2027 presidential election, Baba-Ahmed said opposition parties were working to unite to defeat Tinubu.
He described the initiative as an effort to bring politicians with different views together to achieve a common goal.
“What we have seen is an extraordinary willingness among politicians to come together, put aside some of their differences and see whether they can build enough momentum to remove Tinubu from power,” he said.
He added that the proposed alliance would present a single candidate to challenge Tinubu.
He urged Nigerians who oppose the president’s re-election to support whoever emerges as the coalition’s candidate.
Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), succeeding Buhari, who served two terms as president.
His administration has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to foreign exchange management.
His supporters argue that the measures were necessary to stabilise public finances.
However, the reforms have coincided with rising prices and increased economic pressure on households.
