The Presidency has delivered a scathing rebuke to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, calling on him to apologise to Nigerians for what it described as his “mismanagement” during his tenure.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, accused Obasanjo of running one of Nigeria’s most corrupt governments and said he had no moral right to criticise any administration.
Dare made these remarks in response to a recent speech by Obasanjo at Yale University’s Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, where the ex-president labelled Nigeria a “failing state” under Tinubu’s leadership.
“Obasanjo Has No Moral Right to Criticise”
Dare condemned Obasanjo’s comments, dismissing them as insincere and riddled with inaccuracies.
“Former President Obasanjo is a man with a tremendous capacity for mischief, and Nigerians know it,” Dare said.
He accused Obasanjo of leaving a legacy of corruption and poor governance.
“His presidency is recorded as the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history. He squandered $16 billion on power projects that only delivered darkness,” he added.
Obasanjo’s Scathing Criticism
In his keynote lecture, Obasanjo criticised Tinubu’s administration, describing Nigeria as a “failing state.”
He attributed the nation’s challenges to leadership failure and rampant corruption.
“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said.
He also called for the immediate dismissal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, and a complete overhaul of the electoral system.
“We must ensure the INEC Chairperson and their staff are thoroughly vetted,” Obasanjo stated.
He argued that short tenures for electoral officials would reduce political interference and restore public trust in elections.
“Democracy Suffered Under Obasanjo”
Responding to these allegations, Dare painted a grim picture of Obasanjo’s time in office.
“Democracy suffered mortal wounds under his watch, particularly during his ill-fated third-term bid,” Dare said.
He accused Obasanjo of engaging in actions that undermined Nigeria’s democratic progress, forcing successive administrations to clean up his “mess.”
“Obasanjo has lost any moral right to condemn any government. He should apologise to Nigerians for not laying the foundational infrastructure Nigeria needed to advance,” Dare declared.
Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Dare defended Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the president’s commitment to reform and progress.
He referenced the Yoruba proverb, “A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo”, meaning one should focus on their goal and ignore distractions.
“This administration will stay focused on bringing relief to Nigerians. Obasanjo’s remarks are mere noise,” Dare said.
He added that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was on track to restore Nigeria’s economic and social stability.
Public Reactions to the Feud
The exchange between the Presidency and Obasanjo has sparked heated debates among Nigerians.
Some have taken Dare’s side, agreeing that Obasanjo’s tenure left much to be desired.
“Obasanjo has no right to criticise anyone. His time as president was far from perfect,” one commentator said.
Others, however, defended Obasanjo, arguing that his criticisms reflect genuine concerns about Nigeria’s current trajectory.
“Obasanjo’s track record might not be spotless, but he’s speaking truth to power. Nigeria is in a dire state,” another said.
Obasanjo’s Legacy Under Scrutiny
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian president from 1999 to 2007, is one of the country’s most prominent and controversial political figures.
While his administration is credited with economic reforms and debt relief, it has also been criticised for allegations of corruption and authoritarian tendencies.
