A fierce exchange of words has erupted between the presidency and former President Olusegun Obasanjo after his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has lashed out at Obasanjo, calling his comments hypocritical and urging him to apologize to Nigerians for what Dare describes as the failures of his own presidency.
This clash began after Obasanjo, speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, described Nigeria as a “failing state” under Tinubu’s leadership. Obasanjo blamed immorality and corruption for Nigeria’s woes, calling for urgent reforms in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He recommended the dismissal of INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and other officials, suggesting that only transparent, non-partisan individuals with impeccable reputations could restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Obasanjo stated:
“As a matter of urgency, we must ensure the INEC Chairperson and their staff are thoroughly vetted. The failing state status of Nigeria is glaringly obvious for all to see.”
Presidency’s Response
Sunday Dare did not hold back in his critique of Obasanjo. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Dare labeled Obasanjo’s government as the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history, claiming that Obasanjo’s criticism of Tinubu lacked sincerity and moral authority.
He argued:
“Former President Obasanjo is a man with a tremendous capacity for mischief. His presidency is on record as the most corrupt. Nigerians still await an explanation for the $16 billion he wasted on power projects that yielded nothing but darkness.”
Dare accused Obasanjo of inflicting “mortal wounds” on democracy during his administration, particularly pointing to his failed bid for a third term in office. According to Dare, Tinubu’s administration is still grappling with the aftermath of Obasanjo’s leadership failures.
Obasanjo’s Leadership Questioned
Dare further highlighted the lack of foundational infrastructure under Obasanjo, saying the former president had no right to criticize others without acknowledging his own role in Nigeria’s current challenges.
“Obasanjo has lost any moral right to condemn any government. He should apologize to Nigerians for not laying the foundational infrastructure Nigeria needed to advance. Successive administrations have struggled to clean up the mess he left behind.”
Dare dismissed Obasanjo’s criticism as mere “market noise” and reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to his “Renewed Hope” agenda aimed at addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
A Divisive Debate
The clash between Obasanjo and the presidency has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria, with some defending Obasanjo’s critique as a necessary call for accountability and others siding with the presidency’s assessment of Obasanjo’s controversial tenure.
As Tinubu’s government continues its reform agenda, this exchange underscores the growing tensions between past and present administrations over Nigeria’s direction and the legacy of leadership. For many Nigerians, however, the focus remains on tangible improvements in governance, security, and economic conditions.
