National Chairman of the People Redemption Party, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the presidency is disconnected from the everyday realities of Nigerians, particularly worsening poverty, insecurity, and governance failures.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday on the resurgence of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and broader national issues, Baba-Ahmed argued that the gap between government narratives and lived experiences has become too wide to ignore, insisting that the country is facing worsening hardship despite official claims of reform and progress.

“I think that President Tinubu is not in touch with this country, I’m saying this with the highest respect.”

He reinforced the point by challenging the government’s response to criticism. “If the president would say, if you don’t see his progress, you need either to wear new glasses or you’re biased beyond the point, I think we should be even more worried.”

Baba-Ahmed said it was impossible to ignore what Nigerians are currently experiencing. “There’s no way you can live in this country, see the level of poverty, see the level of unaccountability, not accounting for the funds we’re getting, and still say that Nigerians should see what you’re doing and oppose you.”

He added that the worsening conditions across communities reflect a population under pressure. “We are more insecure, we are more hungry, we are more desperate. We want change. If he doesn’t understand that and he goes to the elections with this attitude and finally conducts a free and fair election, then we are home and drunk.”

According to him, the party’s growing relevance is tied to public demand for change in governance quality. “We know Nigerians are ready for real difference, real change in the way this country is run. I watched you before I came here. Some of the percentages you’re talking about in terms of budget releases for budgetary commitments are unbelievable. In a country like this, you’re giving ministry of defence 70% by procurement. It’s unbelievable. There’s no way in the world Nigerians are going to allow this administration to come back in a free and fair election. So yes, it’s a viable option. We have to work very hard. People can come. And they’re aware of the timelines. They’re very tight. They are counting the seconds.”

Baba-Ahmed also to reflected on Nigeria’s electoral system. “Now, this is absolutely essential, the survival of the democracy. It doesn’t matter what President Tinubu and his APC and his 32 governors, virtually everybody in government, I think we must deliver a free, fair, credible election. Otherwise, the consequences will be two disasters. I was secretary of INIC. I was secretary of INIC when we had, when we had the second term in place. And at that time, the secretary of INIC was a very powerful person. You had a chairman, you had a national commission, you had state commissioners. And the secretary had to be a serving permanent secretary. And he was in charge of so many things. One of the things I will say here, forgive me if I don’t mention today, to show you the kind of standards of integrity required of INIC, not just because the public demands it, but just because the law demands it, is that the people there were not given absolutely no grounds for suspicion.”

He stressed that electoral bodies must maintain strict ethical standards and transparency. “Don’t allow the slightest hint of wrongdoing or the absence of credibility and integrity at any level of NIC. If you do that, then you risk a situation where the quality of our democratic process, not just the election, the quality of our democratic process will just continue to decline.”

He also urged Nigerians to take active responsibility in elections rather than remain passive observers. “We on our part are willing to play our role. If the party, if the government, if the Nigerians want change, then they should not just go and vote and walk away. Stay there, watch the votes, watch the counting, follow it through, and vote good people. In the name of God, go vote good people.”

On the structure of opposition politics and the PRP’s role, Baba-Ahmed said the party is not interested in acting as a spoiler. “First, we have been, like I said, we are the oldest political party. We don’t come to elections as spoilers. There’s nothing we’re spoiling. If anybody is a spoiler in this, it’s people or within authority are feeling that we’re opposition. Systematically, the PDP… We have different types of association. You don’t need to have a coalition. You can collaborate. There are many different forms of association. The bottom line is opposition parties need to come together to change this administration. And we are at the heart of it. We will play our role, and we will change this country if Nigerians genuinely want to change it.”

He insisted that the party’s focus is to bring together capable Nigerians committed to national transformation, regardless of political background or region.

“We are just looking for the best Nigerians available for this country in different elections that will take Nigeria to a different trajectory.”

He also emphasised that ideology, competence and integrity remain the key criteria for participation in the party’s structure. “But whoever comes into PRP will have to abide by the principles and the ideals of this administration. If they can do that, then Nigeria is safe.”

Baba-Ahmed maintained that Nigeria’s central challenge remains leadership quality. “Bad leadership, poor leadership, indifferent leadership is what has brought this country to where it is. If we had been led by good people, honest people, people who want to serve as an end in itself rather than just serve and make a lot of money. A nation of 250 million people has no business being in this level of distress.” (AriseNews TV)

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