Former Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has harshly criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, calling it the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”
During his Thursday appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” Baba-Ahmed bemoaned the administration’s shortcomings and charged Buhari of putting the office above governance.
It was said that Baba-Ahmed, who had at first backed Buhari’s ascent to office, also expressed his disappointment with the government.
He said he was disappointed by Buhari’s leadership style, even though many Nigerians backed him over former President Goodluck Jonathan because they thought he would be able to unite the nation and be strong on corruption.
“Buhari did not speak for the North.” “We thought Buhari was a better option than Goodluck Jonathan at the time, not because he was from the north,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
Because Jonathan was lenient toward Boko Haram and other groups, he added, “We believed he would be tough on corruption and able to bring the nation together.” However, it turned out that he was the contrary.
Baba-Ahmed was quick to declare Buhari’s administration to be the worst in Nigerian history. He claimed that Buhari’s administration neglected governance and neglected to put the wellbeing of the people first, drawing on his seventy years of expertise.
“In my experience—I’m 70 years old—yes, I don’t believe we have had an administration worse than Buhari’s. “I’ve never seen a government that failed more at setting priorities, governing less, or caring less for the poor,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Regarding his early backing of Buhari, Baba-Ahmed acknowledged that he had great expectations for the government but quickly came to the conclusion that the president was more concerned with maintaining his office’s status than with providing effective governance.
I actively participated in his campaign. I spent four years as the chair of his party in my state. However, we saw after a few months in office that he was more concerned with holding the office than with governing.
“When it became evident that he wouldn’t listen, we went from private advice to public criticism,” he disclosed.
Baba-Ahmed said he had no regrets about entering the government, but given the direction the leadership is currently taking, he would not choose to serve in the Tinubu administration again.
“No, I’m glad I went in. However, considering the present course, I would not repeat the action. I failed to see the fervor, dedication, and passion to rebuild a nation that was in disarray. “I noticed more of a front,” he said.
While President Bola Tinubu made audacious pledges during the 2023 elections, including cutting subsidies and enacting strict reforms, Baba-Ahmed noted that these moves were not backed by sufficient planning.
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“Nigerians hoped Tinubu would improve the country, therefore they voted for him in 2023. Although he pledged strict reforms and eliminated subsidies, he was ill-prepared. When issues arise, his advisors are rushing to address them. Rhetoric and reality are significantly at odds, Baba-Ahmed clarified.
Baba-Ahmed also expressed alarm about the nation’s rising level of insecurity, especially in areas like Benue, Plateau, and Niger.
Even though the administration issued contradictory numbers suggesting a decrease in violence, he criticized the government for failing to confront the rising violence.
Visit Niger, Plateau, and Benue; the amount of blood being shed has increased since two years ago. However, they publish data that indicates a decrease in violence. These numbers are provided by whom? “Are they even aware of the way Nigerians live?” he inquired.
