At a summit organised by the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, national chairman of the [Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoples_Redemption_Party), said former President [Muhammadu Buhari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammadu_Buhari) had resisted pressure from political interests that wanted President [Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) to succeed him, because he believed Tinubu’s second term would be detrimental to Nigeria.
**What did Baba‑Ahmed allege about Buhari’s position?**
He asserted that Buhari, before his death, opposed a group of insiders who insisted the presidency should automatically pass to Tinubu. Baba‑Ahmed quoted the late president as having thought Tinubu’s leadership would be “bad news for this country.”
**Why is the slogan “Emilokan” controversial?**
During the 2023 campaign, Tinubu popularised the Yoruba phrase “Emilokan,” meaning “it is my turn.” Baba‑Ahmed argued that such a claim turned the nation’s 250 million‑strong electorate into a personal entitlement, warning that Nigerians should have questioned the slogan the moment it was uttered.
**How does the PRP view Tinubu’s first term?**
The chairman described the three‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure as a period of “prolonged hardship,” accusing the administration of failing on key performance indicators and of prioritising personal ambition over national welfare. He warned that allowing a single individual to cling to power would “wreak his country” and push the nation to its lowest point.
**What criticism was levelled at Tinubu’s re‑election strategy?**
Baba‑Ahmed said Tinubu had not directly appealed to the electorate for a second term, instead relying on political allies to push his agenda. He also faulted northern governors for not drawing the president’s attention to the region’s growing economic distress and public dissatisfaction.
**Is there optimism despite the criticism?**
The PRP chief expressed confidence in Nigeria’s resilience, noting that the country has survived larger crises in the past. He pledged that Nigerians would endure “four years of abuse, neglect, and plunder” and emerge stronger for future generations.
**What is the opposition’s plan for 2027?**
Baba‑Ahmed revealed that opposition parties are forming a coalition to field a single candidate against Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He highlighted a “remarkable willingness” among politicians to set aside differences and create a momentum capable of unseating the incumbent.
Tinubu, who won the 2023 election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, has pursued major economic reforms such as removing the petrol subsidy and overhauling foreign‑exchange management. While supporters argue these moves stabilise public finances, they have coincided with a sharp rise in living costs and widespread concern over household purchasing power.