The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said growing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Northern Nigeria stems largely from its failure to deliver on promises made before assuming office.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye, as political parties and stakeholders intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the discontent in the North is not primarily a consequence of the president’s alleged failure to accommodate northern political elites, but reflects wider frustration among Nigerians over the administration’s performance.
He argued that Tinubu had promised to address several of the country’s challenges but had yet to meet the expectations raised by those commitments.
“There are a lot of Nigerians who are angry with Tinubu because he’s not listening to anybody. And I can tell you the North is not angry with Tinubu because he’s not listening to them. The North is angry with Tinubu, like other Nigerians are angry with Tinubu, because he came here on the promise to fix a lot of the things that are wrong, and he didn’t,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The PRP leader also expressed doubts about the administration’s assurances that economic prosperity was imminent, questioning how long Nigerians would have to wait before experiencing tangible improvements in their living conditions.
During the interview, Okinbaloye noted that the president had said several initiatives were in the pipeline.
Baba-Ahmed, however, challenged the argument, asking, “Do you want to be in the pipeline? For goodness’ sake, what’s in the pipeline?”
When asked whether he believed Tinubu’s assertion that prosperity had arrived, the former presidential aide responded, “I don’t believe him at all.”
His comments come amid growing political debate over the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) prospects in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
Two days earlier, Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni had also warned the APC against assuming that it enjoyed widespread support across the region.
Oseni, speaking on the station’s Morning Show programme on Monday, cautioned that enthusiastic receptions at political gatherings and the distribution of money to supporters should not be mistaken for genuine electoral backing.
He maintained that public displays of support for politicians do not necessarily translate into votes on election day, warning that the ruling party could be in for a surprise if it misreads the mood of northern voters.
“Do not deceive yourself, you see, politicians are the most delusional and the most optimistic people on earth,” Oseni said.
He added that the distribution of money and enthusiastic chants at political events were insufficient evidence that voters were satisfied with the administration.
“The north is not happy with this administration,” he said.
