The presidency has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo, dismissing him as an unsuitable role model for Nigeria’s future leaders. This response follows Obasanjo’s recent remarks about the administration of President Bola Tinubu, which were seen as a sharp attack on the current government.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on Monday countering Obasanjo’s speech at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University. During his speech, Obasanjo had criticized Nigeria’s state of affairs under President Tinubu, calling the country a “failed state” and referring to Tinubu as “Baba Go Slow.”
In his speech, Obasanjo lamented the state of Nigeria, attributing its chaos, insecurity, and underdevelopment to pervasive corruption and mismanagement, which he claimed had worsened under Tinubu’s leadership. He also accused the current administration of contributing to division and societal unrest.
However, Onanuga responded by pointing out the irony of Obasanjo delivering such criticism on a platform named after Chinua Achebe, who had famously rejected a national honor from Obasanjo in 2004, citing the widespread corruption and abuse of power during his tenure. Onanuga suggested that Obasanjo’s actions as president made him an inappropriate figure to lecture on leadership, given his own record of alleged constitutional violations, economic mismanagement, and personal scandals.
Onanuga reminded the public of Obasanjo’s controversial history, including his administration’s alleged role in the unconstitutional impeachment of governors, neglect of critical infrastructure, and questionable privatization practices. He criticized Obasanjo for failing to develop vital sectors such as gas infrastructure and road networks, as well as for misallocating resources meant for national security.
Onanuga also revisited the infamous $16 billion spent on electricity during Obasanjo’s presidency, which, according to critics, led to no meaningful improvements in the power sector. The presidency also criticized Obasanjo for overseeing the sale of national assets during his privatization program, with examples like the controversial sale of the Aluminium Smelter Company (ALSCON) at a fraction of its original value.
Moreover, Onanuga questioned Obasanjo’s economic credentials, highlighting that despite his claims of economic expertise, his government failed to invest in critical infrastructure, leaving Nigeria’s roads and educational institutions in poor condition. Onanuga noted that Obasanjo’s administration prioritized personal projects, including the establishment of a private university and the building of his presidential library, while neglecting national interests.
The statement further referenced the 2007 election under Obasanjo’s watch, which has been widely criticized as one of Nigeria’s most fraudulent elections. Onanuga called Obasanjo a “hypocrite” for lecturing on electoral integrity, given the flaws in the 2007 election and his administration’s failures in handling electoral reforms.
Onanuga concluded by advising Obasanjo to reflect on his own leadership shortcomings rather than publicly criticize the current administration. He suggested that the former president’s final years would be better spent contemplating the missed opportunities of his own time in office, both as a military ruler and as a civilian president, rather than continuing to criticize the Tinubu administration’s efforts to address Nigeria’s current challenges.
This ongoing feud between Obasanjo and the presidency highlights the deep divisions in Nigeria’s political landscape and the contrasting views on the legacy of past leadership.
