By Babatunji Wusu
*Hakeem Baba-Ahmed*, the former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, has issued a stark warning regarding the current state of the nation. In a candid interview on *Trust TV* this Tuesday, the veteran political analyst argued that Nigeria is now grappling with far more severe challenges than it faced when *President Bola Tinubu* first assumed office in 2023. Reflecting on the administration’s three-year milestone, Baba-Ahmed noted that both economic stability and national security have deteriorated significantly during this period.
“We are in deeper trouble than when you came,” Baba-Ahmed stated directly, addressing the administration’s performance. He highlighted a worrying trend in the nature of domestic conflict, suggesting that violence has evolved in ways the government failed to anticipate. According to the former aide, the country is witnessing an escalation in the pattern and magnitude of violence that is unprecedented, leaving citizens more vulnerable than ever before. He emphasized that the President, who campaigned on a platform of *Renewed Hope* and a promise to end *insecurity*, would have to admit that these core promises remain unfulfilled.
The critique also extended to the government’s perceived lack of empathy and poor timing of official engagements. Baba-Ahmed pointed to a recent high-profile state visit to the *United Kingdom*, which was characterized by media reports as a festive and celebratory event. He lamented that this “huge contingent” led by the President departed just days after a series of “horrendous attacks” in *Borno State*. For many Nigerians, the juxtaposition of official celebration against a backdrop of regional mourning signaled a disconnect between the leadership and the lived reality of the people.
As the administration moves further into its term, the words of its former political adviser serve as a sobering assessment of the path ahead. Baba-Ahmed’s observations reflect a growing concern among stakeholders that without a radical shift in strategy, the twin burdens of *economic hardship* and escalating violence may define the legacy of the current government. For a nation seeking safety and abundance, the current trajectory remains a point of intense national debate.
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