Presidency Criticize Obasanjo’s Remark Labels It Insincere, Misguided
The Presidency has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his recent remarks about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, calling his comments insincere and misguided.
Obasanjo had delivered a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, where he claimed that Nigeria had become a failing state under Tinubu’s leadership.
In response, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed Obasanjo’s statements, labeling them as lacking credibility due to his controversial legacy as president.
Additionally, he suggested that Obasanjo should apologize to Nigerians for his failures instead of continuing to criticize other administrations.
Dare pointed to Obasanjo’s tenure, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning his credibility, particularly over issues of corruption. He highlighted the alleged mismanagement of $16 billion meant for power generation during Obasanjo’s administration, which failed to deliver any significant improvement in the country’s electricity supply. Dare further criticized Obasanjo for his role in the controversial third-term agenda, which he argued had inflicted lasting damage on Nigeria’s democracy. He claimed that successive administrations, including President Tinubu’s, were left to clean up the mess created by Obasanjo’s leadership.
In addition, Dare suggested that Obasanjo should apologize to Nigerians for his failures instead of continuing to criticize other administrations. He emphasized that Obasanjo had lost any moral high ground to condemn the current government and should focus on reflecting on his role in Nigeria’s ongoing challenges. Dare also invoked a Yoruba proverb, stressing that the administration’s focus remains on implementing the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which he described as the central priority for the country’s future.
Despite the sharp criticism, Dare acknowledged Obasanjo’s recent admission that there is hope for Nigeria, interpreting it as an endorsement of the progress Tinubu’s administration is making. He concluded by affirming that the Tinubu government remains committed to reforms and will continue working toward a better Nigeria, undeterred by the distractions of critics.
