The National Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has predicted that voters in Northern Nigeria may reject the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections over worsening insecurity, poverty and economic hardship.
He also warned President Bola Tinubu against compromising the credibility of the elections, saying any attempt to manipulate the outcome could trigger a serious political crisis.
Baba-Ahmed stated this during a televised interview while reacting to differing opinions about the APC’s chances of retaining support in the North.
He said his interactions with Nigerians suggested widespread dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration, arguing that the situation had deteriorated in critical areas, including agriculture, personal security and livelihoods.
“I disagree entirely with Professor Madishehu’s understanding. I think that Northerners, as well as Southerners, are fed up,” he said.
The PRP chairman identified insecurity, the disruption of farming and declining economic opportunities as major concerns facing residents of the region.
According to him, persistent attacks by armed bandits have made it difficult for farmers in some communities to access their farms and earn a living.
“There are three things that are central to the northern economy: agriculture, the right of the citizens to just go out and earn a decent living, and his ability to live his life without being pushed to extremes. All of them have been taken away from him,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He added, “Northerners feel as if they are being treated as second-class citizens.”
Baba-Ahmed dismissed suggestions that financial inducements during election campaigns would guarantee votes for the ruling party.
He argued that voters could collect money distributed during campaigns without necessarily supporting the party offering it at the polls.
“They will collect money simply because they believe it’s their money. If we have a free and fair election, they will collect that money, like they did in 2015, and still vote you out,” he said.
The opposition leader urged the Federal Government and electoral authorities to ensure that the 2027 elections reflected the wishes of Nigerians.
“Don’t mess up with the credibility of the 2027 elections,” he warned.
He expressed concern that a disputed result could deepen political tensions and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
“I am terrified of what will happen if 40, 45 million Nigerians come out to vote, and they vote out APC, and they are told APC is back and has won,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also called on the international community to monitor developments surrounding the elections, while acknowledging concerns about external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
He insisted that protecting the electorate’s mandate was essential to preserving national stability.
The PRP chairman also criticised Tinubu’s reported decision not to embark on extensive nationwide campaign tours, arguing that the President should meet voters directly and defend his administration’s record.
He said the President should visit communities, hold town hall meetings and allow Nigerians to question his policies rather than leave the task to party officials.
Baba-Ahmed challenged Tinubu to engage residents of areas facing insecurity, electricity challenges and economic hardship, saying such encounters would provide an opportunity to explain the administration’s achievements and plans.
He proposed that the President hold at least one rally in each geopolitical zone alongside town hall meetings where citizens could ask questions.
“Take one place in a zone. I will visit one. I will do one rally in a zone. And when I go there, apart from filling up stadium with paid-up cheerleaders, arrange a town hall meeting where people can talk to me and I can talk to them,” he said.
He further alleged that the President was avoiding scrutiny of his performance.
“If he goes out to people, he is hiding from his record. Basically, this is what he is doing. He is hiding from his record. That’s why he can’t campaign,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also challenged the APC to publish a clear policy document outlining what it intended to achieve if re-elected for another four-year term.
“Let them publish two pages of what an APC government from 2027 to 2031 would do, different from what they are doing now,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed argued that the ruling party should explain how it planned to address poverty, insecurity, education and weaknesses in public institutions instead of relying on its existing policies.
He called for increased investment in education, rural infrastructure, security agencies and economic opportunities.
The PRP chairman also advocated greater government support for children attending traditional Quranic schools in Northern Nigeria, saying they should receive religious instruction alongside basic Western education.
He maintained that improving access to education and strengthening public institutions should form part of efforts to address the country’s challenges.
Baba-Ahmed questioned whether Tinubu would participate in presidential debates and media interviews ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that candidates should be prepared to explain their policies and answer questions from Nigerians.
Recalling a presidential candidates’ forum held in Abuja before the 2023 elections, he criticised Tinubu’s performance at the event.
“He did very badly there. He was barely coherent,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He also described the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign council as “theatre”, arguing that the party had yet to present a convincing case for another term.
“Yeah, it was theatre. It was theatre. They think this is what campaigns are,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed, however, acknowledged that the outcome of the 2027 elections would depend on voters’ decisions and the credibility of the electoral process.
He said the opposition coalition would accept the result if Tinubu won through a transparent and honest process.
“If Tinubu wins transparently and honestly, we’ll live with it, and we will work again in opposition,” he said.
He maintained that the opposition’s responsibility was to protect the interests of Nigerians, promote national unity and defend democratic institutions.
The APC’s chances in 2027 will ultimately depend on voter choices, campaign developments and the conduct of the elections. Baba-Ahmed’s prediction represents the opposition leader’s assessment of the political climate ahead of the polls.
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