Tinubu must personally face Nigerians to defend his performance — Baba-Ahmed

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s record on security and the economy, arguing that persistent hardship and attacks by armed groups continue to undermine the administration’s performance.
Baba-Ahmed said insecurity had prevented children in areas affected by banditry and kidnapping from attending school, while the rising cost of living and unsafe roads continued to burden Nigerians.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he assessed the administration’s performance after three and a half years in office.
“Children who live in territories taken by bandits and kidnappers can’t go to school at all,” he said.
The PRP chairman also questioned the relevance of the government’s economic statistics to the everyday experiences of Nigerians, arguing that official figures did not adequately reflect the difficulties faced by households.
He cited insecurity, worsening living conditions and the disruption of education as challenges requiring urgent attention.
Baba-Ahmed also criticised the pace of road construction, pointing to the Abuja-Kaduna highway, where motorists continue to face security concerns.
He argued that the government should have delivered more infrastructure projects using the revenue generated from oil.
The former Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice-President Kashim Shettima also questioned reports that Tinubu intended to limit his participation in campaign rallies ahead of the 2027 general election.
He argued that the President should personally explain his administration’s record to voters rather than rely on political allies to campaign on his behalf.
Baba-Ahmed said the President needed to account for his performance in office and explain how his policies had addressed the country’s challenges.
Turning to the 2027 election, the PRP chairman expressed doubts about Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election, arguing that the credibility of the process would be crucial.
He warned that insecurity could prevent eligible voters in parts of the country, particularly the North, from participating in the election.
According to him, the government and electoral authorities must ensure that residents of communities affected by banditry and kidnapping are able to exercise their voting rights.
He also raised concerns about the influence of money on elections, warning that wealthy political interests could use their resources to mobilise voters and potentially distort the process.
Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that electoral malpractice was not unique to Nigeria but said the authorities must take measures to prevent manipulation and protect the integrity of the 2027 polls.
He further cautioned against attempts to misrepresent election outcomes, stressing that only officials legally authorised to declare results could announce winners.
The PRP chairman also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission over what he described as inadequate public communication on election procedures.
While agreeing that election results could not lawfully be declared by unauthorised individuals, he said INEC needed to explain its responsibilities more clearly to prevent confusion.
Baba-Ahmed, a former INEC secretary, expressed concern that political actors might attempt to distort the outcome of the 2027 election if the results did not favour them.
He urged the electoral authorities to ensure transparency and uphold the law throughout the process.