Tinubu Disconnected from Nigerian Realities, Says Former Shettima Adviser
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the former special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has publicly declared that President Bola Tinubu is profoundly disconnected from the harsh realities confronting ordinary Nigerians. Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Show, Baba-Ahmed delivered a scathing critique of recent presidential remarks that suggested citizens unable to perceive progress under his administration were either biased or developmentally blind.
Presidential Remarks Spark Controversy
President Tinubu, just last week, dismissed his critics with a controversial statement, implying that those failing to see the "hope" embedded within his policies might require prescription eyeglasses. "If they don't want to see the hope... we shall lend them 'jigi-bola'... eyeglasses," the president remarked, using a colloquial term. Baba-Ahmed reacted strongly, asserting that this comment raises grave concerns about the government's fundamental awareness of the nation's pressing economic distress and escalating 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," Baba-Ahmed stated emphatically. The national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party elaborated that the administration's much-touted reforms have spectacularly failed to translate into tangible improvements in the daily living conditions of the citizenry.
A Nation in Deepening Crisis
Baba-Ahmed painted a grim picture of the current national situation, declaring, "We are more insecure, more hungry, and more desperate." He argued that the reforms exist merely on paper and do not reflect the brutal reality Nigerians endure daily. "The reforms on paper do not reflect the reality Nigerians face," he reiterated, challenging the administration's narrative of success.
He further emphasized the absurdity of expecting public applause amidst widespread suffering, repeating, "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." This sentiment underscores a perceived vast chasm between government perception and the lived experiences of the populace.
Confidence in Electoral Defeat of APC
Beyond criticism, Baba-Ahmed expressed significant political confidence, suggesting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is vulnerable in a genuine democratic contest. He directly linked this vulnerability to the administration's perceived disconnect. "If the president goes into an election with this mindset and allows a free and fair process, then we are home and dry," he asserted, using an idiom to indicate certain victory.
He pinpointed the government's self-congratulatory attitude as a key weakness, stating, "One of the reasons why we feel confident that we can defeat APC is exactly this kind of mindset. You have 10, 12, 20 failings of an administration that is saying we have done fantastic." This commentary frames the upcoming political landscape as a battle between official propaganda and public dissatisfaction, with Baba-Ahmed betting on the latter prevailing in a transparent electoral process.
