The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu could be defeated in the 2027 presidential election if Nigerians are allowed to participate in a transparent, impartial and credible electoral process.
Baba-Ahmed made the prediction while appearing on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired by Channels Television. During the discussion, he expressed doubts about the strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite its considerable political influence across the country.
According to the PRP leader, the APC’s control of the federal government, the National Assembly and a large number of state governments does not necessarily guarantee victory for Tinubu in the next presidential election.
He described the ruling party as a political structure that is struggling with internal challenges and claimed that its dominance could be challenged if the opposition is able to mobilise effectively.
Baba-Ahmed also referred to the recent governorship election in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke secured another term in office, as evidence that the APC can be defeated despite its considerable political machinery.
He argued that the outcome of the Osun election demonstrated that opposition parties do not necessarily need to form a single bloc before they can defeat the governing party at the polls.
The PRP chairman noted that political parties participated independently in the election, yet the APC suffered defeat. He said the result should serve as an indication that the ruling party could also lose elections at the national level.
Baba-Ahmed dismissed suggestions that an alleged understanding existed between President Tinubu and Adeleke during the Osun election. He maintained that he preferred to view the result as a genuine electoral victory over the ruling party.
He further questioned why a similar outcome could not occur during the 2027 presidential election, provided the process was conducted without manipulation.
According to him, the APC’s enormous political influence has not eliminated concerns within the administration, despite the party’s strong presence across different levels of government.
He observed that President Tinubu currently enjoys significant backing from governors and lawmakers, but argued that such political control does not automatically translate into popularity among Nigerians.
Baba-Ahmed described the situation as unusual, claiming that a president with extensive political support should ordinarily feel confident about his chances of securing another mandate.
He subsequently expressed confidence that Tinubu would lose the 2027 election if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts the exercise in accordance with democratic standards.
The PRP chairman cautioned against prematurely commending the electoral body, insisting that its credibility would ultimately be determined by how it handles an election in which the incumbent president is seeking another term.
He urged INEC to ensure that the 2027 election is free, fair and transparent, stressing that all contestants should be given equal opportunities to participate.
Baba-Ahmed further warned that failure to conduct a credible election could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s democratic system.
He expressed concern that any perception of electoral manipulation could deepen political tensions and create a serious threat to the country’s democratic stability.
The PRP chairman therefore called for an electoral process that would reflect the genuine choice of Nigerian voters and strengthen public confidence in democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
