Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Vice President, has described President Bola Tinubu as “really and genuinely isolated,” warning that the president’s detachment from key government officials and the Nigerian people presents a serious governance challenge.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Baba-Ahmed offered a rare and candid insight into the inner workings of the presidency, revealing that during his 18-month tenure in the Villa, he only encountered the president three times — and only at the mosque.
“I never had the chance to sit down and talk with President Tinubu. I think part of the problem is that Tinubu never had time for people like us. I don’t think he had time for a lot of people working for him,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed, who joined the administration with high expectations, expressed deep disappointment in his experience.
He noted that the president’s isolation — whether by choice or circumstance — has alienated those who could provide him with critical feedback about the nation’s worsening conditions.
“The bottom line is, he ought to be available for the people he trusted and worked for him. And that’s the problem for the country, not for him,” he added.
He went on to question the quality and relevance of the advice President Tinubu is receiving.
“If you hear people who are close to him speak about Nigeria, you will hear as if they’re living in different worlds. That is the most frustrating thing for me,” Baba-Ahmed said, raising concerns about a growing disconnect between the presidency and the lived realities of everyday Nigerians.
He also addressed speculation around the status of Vice President Kashim Shettima, refuting claims that he had been sidelined.
“No, I didn’t see any of these… If the president feels that the office of the vice president is not that important in the administration—and we have seen that many times—basically, that was what I met,” Baba-Ahmed explained.
According to him, the marginalisation of the vice presidency is a structural issue that predates the current government, rooted in the lack of clearly defined responsibilities for Nigeria’s second-highest office.
Despite frequent contact with the Vice President, Baba-Ahmed emphasised that mere proximity was not enough.
“We work in the Villa and we go home and meet the people, and we know how the country is — how desperate people are, the difficult lives, the insecurity. People are losing hope, asking what is the value of this democracy,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also expressed concerns about the direction of Nigerian politics, calling for generational change. In a recent open letter, he urged President Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027 and instead pave the way for younger leaders.
“Step aside — not for your opponents, but for a new generation of Nigerians who can carry the nation forward with fresh energy and ideas,” he wrote.
“It would be a masterstroke if you and your party yielded the field to new voices and new leadership. That way, you could catalyse a peaceful, historic transformation and inspire a new political culture rooted in merit, unity, and progress.”
The former adviser stressed that the president must consider his legacy and use his remaining time in office wisely.
“You hold what your opposition lacks: the power to reduce the harshness of life for the average Nigerian. Use it well. Watch 2027, yes — but don’t become consumed by it,” he advised.
He also took aim at Tinubu’s governance blueprint, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as “a set of campaign promises” lacking a coherent implementation plan.
He further criticised the composition of the federal cabinet.
“More than half (of the ministers) have no business managing an administration tasked with improving security, livelihoods, or public trust,” he said.
While acknowledging that Tinubu inherited a broken economy and an exhausted population, Baba-Ahmed faulted the president for failing to convert the goodwill of his inauguration into effective governance.
However, he distanced himself from emerging political coalitions, hinting at dissatisfaction with the current state of political alignments and urging a new direction for national leadership.