Tinubu Re‑Election Risks Heightened Instability in Nigeria

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, warned that Nigeria could experience serious instability if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins a second term. In an interview with journalists, Baba‑Ahmed said the country is confronting one of its most difficult periods, marked by surging insecurity, high poverty rates and growing social fragmentation.

Baba‑Ahmed argued that the current administration appears out of touch with the everyday struggles of Nigerians. He noted that many citizens, particularly young people, are losing hope because of limited opportunities and an absence of a clear future direction. According to him, these conditions have deepened mistrust among communities, heightened regional tensions and increased societal division.

“The country is more divided now than it has ever been,” he said. “We have never been in a war situation more than we are now. The government is too removed from the people, and it does not understand the state in which Nigerians live.” He cited unprecedented levels of insecurity and poverty, adding that the lack of inspiration for the youth is eroding citizenship and productivity.

Baba‑Ahmed called for urgent political change in 2027, stating that a second term for the same administration could accelerate the nation’s decline. “Another term for the same administration may just put an end to this country,” he warned.

When asked whether opposition to President Tinubu is part of a coordinated political strategy, the PRP leader rejected the suggestion. He attributed Nigeria’s challenges to escalating criminal activity and the state’s failure to contain it, rather than to political manipulation. “If there is a gang‑up, it is a gang‑up of criminals, bandits and kidnappers that the President has not been able to stop,” he explained. “The President is blaming politicians rather than dealing with the sources of insecurity.”

He argued that any perceived “gang‑up” against the president is not being driven by law‑abiding citizens but by those who expect the government to protect them from criminal elements. Baba‑Ahmed urged the administration to focus on improving security and welfare conditions as a means of restoring public confidence.

The remarks come amid continued reports of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across several Nigerian states, issues that have drawn domestic and international concern. Observers note that the 2023 election cycle will be closely watched for signs of political realignment as voters weigh security and economic performance against incumbency.