ABUJA, Nigeria – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has delivered a scathing critique of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his eight-year administration as “the worst in Nigeria’s history.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, May 1, 2025, Baba-Ahmed, a veteran political figure and former campaigner for Buhari, said the former president appeared “more interested in being president than in actually governing.”
“We thought he’d be tough on corruption and could unify the country, because Jonathan was soft on Boko Haram, etc. but he turned out to be the opposite,” Baba-Ahmed said, explaining why many, including himself, had supported Buhari’s presidential bid in 2015.
Responding to a question on whether Buhari’s administration was the worst Nigeria has seen, Baba-Ahmed answered unequivocally in the affirmative.
“I don’t think we have had a government that is worse than that of Buhari, from my experience — I’m 70 years old — yes. I haven’t seen a government that governed less, cared less for the poor, or failed more at setting priorities,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed, who also served as chairman of Buhari’s political party in his state for four years, said he began raising concerns within the administration “months into his presidency.”
“We started with private advice, then moved to public criticism when it became clear he wouldn’t listen,” he noted.
In a rare public reflection on his role within the current administration, Baba-Ahmed—who resigned from his post in March 2025—also shared his thoughts on President Bola Tinubu’s government, stating that he would not join it again if given a second chance.
“No, I don’t regret going in. But given the current trajectory, I wouldn’t do it again. I didn’t see the fire, the commitment, the zeal to fix a broken country. I saw more of a façade,” he said.
He accused Tinubu’s team of reacting to crises rather than planning proactively.
“Nigerians voted for Tinubu in 2023 hoping he’d fix the country. He removed subsidies and promised tough reforms, but he wasn’t truly prepared,” Baba-Ahmed argued.
“His advisers are scrambling to fix problems after they emerge. There’s a major disconnect between rhetoric and reality.”
Baba-Ahmed also challenged the administration’s claims of progress in curbing violence, particularly in the northern region.
“Go to Niger, Plateau, Benue — more blood is being shed now than two years ago. Yet, they release statistics claiming there’s less violence,” he said.
“Who gives them these numbers? Do they even know how Nigerians are living?”