PRP Chairman Baba-Ahmed Slams Tinubu’s "Eyeglass" Remarks, Claims President is Out of Touch with Nigerian Reality

PRP Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed slams President Tinubu’s dismissive attitude toward Nigerian hardship and predicts an APC defeat in the next election.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 3:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

The "Jigi-Bola" Controversy and Leadership Disconnect

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has sparked a fresh political debate by accusing President Bola Tinubu of being fundamentally disconnected from the hardships facing ordinary Nigerians. During an appearance on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show,” Baba-Ahmed took particular aim at the President’s recent dismissive comments regarding his critics. Last week, Tinubu suggested that those failing to see the "hope" in his policies should be lent "jigi-bola" (Bola’s eyeglasses). Baba-Ahmed countered that such remarks indicate a government that is either unaware of or indifferent to the depth of poverty and unaccountability currently plaguing the nation.

Divergence Between Policy Reforms and Living Conditions

Baba-Ahmed, a seasoned political figure and former Special Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, argued that the administration’s economic reforms remain largely theoretical. He pointed out that while the government may tout progress "on paper," the average Nigerian is experiencing increased insecurity, hunger, and desperation. He criticized the lack of transparency in accounting for public funds, stating that it is impossible for citizens to applaud the administration’s performance when their daily realities involve a constant struggle for survival. According to the PRP chairman, the gap between the government’s perception of success and the public’s sentiment has reached a critical breaking point.

Surge in Interest for the Peoples Redemption Party

Amidst the growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Baba-Ahmed revealed that the PRP has seen a significant influx of interest from politicians across the country. He noted that over the last month, a surprising number of individuals have reached out to join the party, viewing it as a viable alternative. He clarified that these newcomers are not merely "political refugees" seeking shelter because their former parties have collapsed, but are drawn to the PRP's 70-year history of standing on firm ideological principles. The chairman expressed that the party’s role in the coming months would be its most significant in decades.