Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has said President Bola Tinubu is disconnected from the realities facing Nigerians.
Speaking on The Morning Show, Baba-Ahmed criticised recent
remarks by the president suggesting that Nigerians who do not see progress
under his administration are either biased or unable to recognise development.
Tinubu had dismissed critics last week, saying those who fail
to see the “hope” in his policies may need prescription glasses.
“If they don’t want to see the hope… we shall lend them
‘jigi-bola’… eyeglasses,” the president said.
Reacting, Baba-Ahmed said the comment raises serious concerns
about the government’s awareness of current economic and security challenges.
“There is no way you can live in this country, see the level
of poverty and unaccountability, and still expect Nigerians to applaud your
performance,” he said.
The national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party added
that the administration’s reforms have not translated into improved living
conditions for citizens.
“We are more insecure, more hungry, and more desperate,” he
said.
“The reforms on paper do not reflect the reality Nigerians
face.
“There is no way you can live in this country, see the level
of poverty, seeing the level of unaccountability, and still say that Nigerians
should see what you’re doing and applaud you.”
Baba-Ahmed also expressed confidence that the ruling All
Progressives Congress could be defeated in a free and fair election, citing
what he described as a disconnect between government perception and public
sentiment.
“If the president goes into an election with this mindset and
allows a free and fair process, then we are home and dry,” he said.
“One of the reasons why we feel confident that we can defeat
APC is exactly this kind of mindset.
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