Off the Record: Insights on Tinubu's Administration from a Former Aide
"Baba Ahmed Asserted: Tinubu has consistently shown disregard towards individuals like us, maintaining a secluded demeanor"
In an interview on Arise TV, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, a once-prominent figure in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's inner circle, has pensively reflected on his experiences within the administration.
Baba Ahmed, who served in the Office of the Vice President, admits that he entered government with high hopes, only to find his aspirations falling short. When grilled about Vice President Kashim Shettima being ostracized by the President, Baba Ahmed dismisses this notion, professing, "'No, I did not observe any such occurrences.'"
He clarifies that the apparent sidelining of the vice presidency is not solely a Tinubu administration issue. Instead, it seemingly stems from a long-standing problem rooted in the lack of clear responsibilities for vice presidents, as they serve as the second-highest officials in the land.
Despite his frequent interactions with the Vice President, Baba Ahmed maintains that the role requires more than mere dialogues, lamenting that he had limited opportunities to engage with President Tinubu. He shares, "'I only saw President Tinubu three times in the mosque in the presidential villa. But I had never had a 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.'"
Baba Ahmed paints a vivid picture of a president who operates in isolation, remarking that Tinubu is "really and genuinely isolated," either by choice or circumstance. He emphasizes that this isolation poses a significant challenge for the nation, declaring, "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."
Additionally, Baba Ahmed vented his concerns over the kind of advice Tinubu receives from his aides, stating that it is disheartening to hear them discuss Nigeria as if they inhabit different worlds. He further laments the growing despair among Nigerian citizens, confiding that their despair is palpable, both within the confines of the government and among the populace.
"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. And sometimes people ask what are we doing there? Asking us, are we really advising the president about some of these things?" he laments.
Baba Ahmed strongly advocates for capable advisors who can address real issues, asserting that if the president had such counsel, the country would be in better shape.
Lastly, Baba Ahmed also expressed his reservations about the current political coalitions, distancing himself from such movements, and expressing a hope that he will not be associated with such alliances in the future.
On a Lighter Note:
- My Days with Tinubu - The Bitter-Sweet Story of an Aide
- The Unintended Consequences of Tinubu's Isolation - A Former Aide's Perspective
- Tinubu's Cabinet: An Inside Look at the Dynamics and Power Struggles
- Navigating the Tinubu Administration: A Guide for Freshmen Politicians
- The Rejuvenation of Nigeria: A Former Aide's Roadmap for Success under Tinubu
- The former aide, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, expressed regret over the limited opportunities he had to engage with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- Baba Ahmed shared that he saw President Tinubu only three times in the mosque in the presidential villa during his tenure.
- The isolation of President Tinubu, according to Baba Ahmed, presents a significant challenge for Nigeria's general news, policy-and-legislation, and politics.
- Baba Ahmed lamented the disheartening discussions among Tinubu's aides, who seemed to live in different worlds, oblivious to the migration, war-and-conflicts, and despair on the ground in Nigeria.
- The former aide advocated for capable advisors who can address real issues, believing that such counsel would improve the state of the country.
- He also expressed reservations about political coalitions and distanced himself from such movements, expressing hope that he would not be associated with such alliances in the future.
- The alleged sidelining of Vice President Kashim Shettima, as Baba Ahmed professed, was not a unique issue in the Tinubu administration but rather a long-standing problem rooted in the lack of clear responsibilities for vice presidents.
- The presidency of Nigeria, as observed by Baba Ahmed, appears to be deeply influenced by Naija politics, with significant implications for policy-making and administration.
