Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed worry over President Bola Tinubu’s silence as a result of the United States’ recent resolute stance towards the country.
Baba-Ahmed expressed his concern in a post on his verified Facebook account on Thursday.
‘If President Tinubu truly has competent advisers and understands the weight of leadership, he should have addressed the nation by now, This is not the time for ministers or aides to speak on his behalf. The President himself should calm the people, explain our position, and tell us what steps he intends to take,’ he stated.
He warned that Tinubu’s silence ‘makes the country appear weak, as though we have no voice or direction.’
Commenting on reports that the President might consider visiting the US, he said, ‘At this critical moment, Tinubu should not even think of travelling to America to meet Donald Trump. Doing so would only worsen Nigeria’s image. It would be like receiving a slap and then smiling in return.’
He also faulted the administration’s failure to appoint ambassadors more than a year into office.
‘We have said it over and over again, appoint ambassadors! Right now, many countries barely engage with Nigeria because we lack official diplomatic representation. A country without ambassadors is practically invisible in global affairs,’ he added.
Baba Ahmed ended his speech with a direct message to the President: ‘If Tinubu truly cares about this nation, he must take immediate action by appointing ambassadors, restoring Nigeria’s diplomatic strength, and speaking directly to the people he governs.’