The Presidency has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for failing to establish a strong democratic foundation during his tenure as the first president of Nigeria’s fourth republic. Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, accused Obasanjo of having a “tremendous capacity for mischief.”
Dare’s remarks were in response to Obasanjo’s recent criticism of President Tinubu’s leadership style, which he voiced during a speech at Yale University.
“Former President Obasanjo is a man with a tremendous capacity for mischief, and Nigerians know it. His journey along the path of hallucinations has never been in doubt. So is his descent into muddling facts, forgetting that he ran a Presidency on record as the most corrupt,” Dare said.
The Adviser highlighted the $16 billion that went unaccounted for under Obasanjo’s administration, originally allocated to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply. He asserted that Obasanjo’s record undermines his right to criticize any current or future Nigerian government.
“It is laughable that Obasanjo’s pretentious stance on fighting corruption has no credibility in the eyes of the general public. We all remember what happened under his watch and the lack of transparency around how $16 billion was spent, resulting in no significant improvement in electricity,” Dare noted.
Dare further argued that Nigeria’s democracy suffered significant setbacks during Obasanjo’s presidency, including his controversial attempt to secure a third term, which he described as “murderous rage.” He stated that successive administrations have struggled to repair the damage Obasanjo left behind, a task that President Tinubu is currently tackling.
“Democracy suffered mortal wounds under his watch, culminating in his failed attempt for a third term. Successive administrations have had to deal with the mess Obasanjo left, and President Tinubu is now making progress in rectifying these issues. Obasanjo has no moral ground to criticize any government; he owes Nigerians an apology for not laying down the foundational infrastructure the nation needed to move forward,” Dare emphasized.
Dare concluded by urging Obasanjo to reflect on his own contributions to Nigeria’s current challenges rather than criticizing his successors. He highlighted President Tinubu’s efforts to return Nigeria to a path of sustainable development.
“Obasanjo should move away from his habit of tearing down leaders, especially his successors, and instead assess how his actions have contributed to Nigeria’s current state. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is actively working to put Nigeria back on the development track,” he added.
