Tinubu Is ‘Too Isolated’ From Nigeria’s Problems, Nigerians ‘Want Change’ — Baba-Ahmed

National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has criticised President Bola Tinubu, saying the latter’s administration was disconnected from the realities facing Nigerians.

Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an appearance on ARISE News breakfast show on Monday, where he argued that the President’s assessment of his own government’s performance did not reflect the lived experiences of citizens.

He faulted recent comments attributed to President Tinubu suggesting that critics of his administration either needed “new glasses” to see his achievements or were biased.

“If a president would say, if you don’t see his progress, you need either to wear new glasses or you’re biased beyond a point, I think we should be even more worried,” he said.

According to him, it was difficult to reconcile government claims of progress with widespread poverty and economic hardship in the country.

“There is no way you can live in this country, see the level of poverty, seeing the level of unaccountability, we’re not accounting for the funds we’re getting, and still say that Nigeria should see what you’re doing and applaud you,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also suggested that the opposition believed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was vulnerable ahead of future elections, citing what he described as policy failures and public dissatisfaction.

“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’,” he stated.

He further criticised what he called a tendency by the government to dismiss dissenting voices.

“Anybody who doesn’t applaud, anybody who doesn’t see us, is either an enemy or a hostile interest, or he doesn’t have glasses in his eyes,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed maintained that President Tinubu appeared detached from the realities of governance, arguing that reforms being implemented “on paper” were not translating into improved living conditions for Nigerians.

“Somehow he’s too isolated from the problems of this country that he actually thinks the reforms on paper translate into the way Nigerians live. They don’t,” he said.

He concluded that the country’s security and economic situation has worsened under the current administration.
“We are more insecure. We are more hungry. We are more desperate. We want change,” he stated.