Presidency Claps Back at Obasanjo Amid Opposition Support Over Corruption Allegations

The Nigerian Presidency fires back at former President Obasanjo following his corruption allegations, as opposition parties rally in his defense.

Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation to President Bola Tinubu, has alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo led one of the most corrupt administrations.

Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007, recently asserted that the nation’s decline is attributed to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality” under Tinubu’s administration.

However, Dare criticized Obasanjo for not establishing the infrastructure foundation for the country during his presidency.

Former President Obasanjo is well known to Nigerians for his keen ability to stir up mischief. His tendency toward fantastical thinking has been evident, as has his frequent confusion of facts—ironic given the significant corruption that marked his time in office. His…

“Dare expressed on his X handle Monday that former President Obasanjo is well-known among Nigerians for his considerable capacity for mischief. His history of distorting reality and descending into confusion has always been evident, particularly given the widely recognized corrupt nature of his presidency. Dare criticized Obasanjo’s recent comments at Yale University as lacking sincerity.”

It’s quite amusing that Obasanjo’s claim of battling corruption isn’t convincing to the general public. We’re all aware of what occurred during his tenure and how, even now, there’s been no account for squandering an enormous $16 billion on generating power shortages nationwide. However, that’s not even the main point here.

READ ALSO: Presidency Claims Obasanjo’s Regime Inflicted Lasting Wounds on Nigerian Democracy

During his tenure, democracy faced significant challenges, culminating in his intense push for an ill-fated third term. Subsequent administrations grappled with the aftermath of Obasanjo’s actions, and President Tinubu is now making progress in addressing these issues. As a result, Obasanjo has lost any moral authority to criticize other governments and should extend an apology to Nigerians for not establishing the foundational infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s advancement.

The Yoruba proverb “A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo” teaches that instead of getting distracted by the hustle and bustle of the market, you should concentrate on whom you’re negotiating with. This lesson is particularly relevant in Nigeria’s current landscape: amidst all the noise, what truly matters are those committed to realizing their agenda for renewed hope for Nigerians. The focus will remain steadfastly on delivering relief to citizens. In this context, Obasanjo’s comments highlight how insignificant such marketplace clamor can be.

President Tinubu is committed to maintaining his course in implementing the reforms he has introduced for a better Nigeria.

The main point is that Obasanjo should step back from his tendency to criticize leaders, particularly his successors, and reflect on how he may have contributed to Nigeria’s current challenges. These are issues President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now energetically addressing in an effort to guide the country towards development. We appreciate former President Obasanjo acknowledging that ‘Yes, there is hope.’ This aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which remains on course. We welcome this dialogue with the former president.