On Tuesday, [Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakeem_Baba- Ahmed), the national chairman of the [People's Redemption Party (PRP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Redemption_Party), alleged that [President Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) personally financed his own 2023 presidential campaign, effectively buying his way into the Presidential Villa.
**What did Baba‑Ahmed claim about the funding?**
He asserted that no Nigerian contributed money to Tinubu’s campaign, stating the president “single‑handedly bought his way into power” and was possibly the only Nigerian president to fund his own election bid.
**When did the accusation surface and on which platform?**
The statements were made during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme *Politics Today* on Tuesday, shortly after the anniversary of Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023.
**What specific remarks did Baba‑Ahmed make?**
He said, “He should have understood how this country got to where we are. I can understand that he was sworn in on May 29 and didn’t have time to study. He single‑handedly bought his way into power. He could quite possibly be the only president who campaigned for and paid for his campaign to become president.”
**Why does Baba‑Ahmed believe Tinubu’s self‑funding matters?**
According to the PRP chairman, the lack of public financial backing undermines democratic participation and suggests that Tinubu relied on personal wealth rather than popular support, a point he linked to the president’s alleged comment “Emi Lokan.”
**What broader criticism did he level at the president?**
Baba‑Ahmed argued that Tinubu assumed office without adequately studying Nigeria’s challenges, implying that his governance could suffer from a lack of informed policy direction.
The allegations come amid ongoing political debate in Nigeria about the transparency of campaign financing and the role of personal wealth in electoral success. No official response from the presidency or the Independent National Electoral Commission has been recorded at the time of writing.
*Background*: The 2023 general election saw Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, win the presidency with a reported 36.6% of the vote. Campaign financing in Nigeria is regulated by the Electoral Act, which requires disclosure of contributions, though enforcement has been questioned by civil society groups.
*Note*: The statements reflect Baba‑Ahmed’s personal view and have not been independently verified.