Following Obasanjo’s comment about Tinubu’s alleged lack of preparedness, the Presidency has issued a statement defending the administration’s strategic approach and readiness to lead Nigeria.
The presidency has addressed recent comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who stated that President Bola Tinubu began his term without a clear plan.
Temitope Ajayi, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, responded to the remarks by implying that Obasanjo views himself as Nigeria’s “sole saviour.”
Ajayi emphasized that President Tinubu is presently pushing forward with bold economic reforms initially started by Obasanjo, but left unfinished.
He recognized Obasanjo’s contributions to opening up the economy and initiating important reforms, but contended that Obasanjo’s “messianic complex” leads him to think he is Nigeria’s sole effective leader.
Citing Obasanjo’s recent interview with News Central Television, where the former president implied that Tinubu lacks a structured plan, Ajayi described this criticism as hypocritical.
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He highlighted the irony in Obasanjo’s critique of Tinubu’s administration, noting that many of Obasanjo’s own initiatives remained unfinished.
Ajayi noted that a video featuring an interview with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on News Central Television has been gaining significant attention across social media platforms over the past week.
In the interview, the former President indirectly criticized the current administration by stating that Nigeria has a President who assumed office without having a plan.
However, this supposedly ‘planless’ president is now carrying out a bold economic reform program that Obasanjo began but left incomplete.
Despite his shortcomings and messianic complex, former President Obasanjo is undeniably a remarkable leader. His administration opened up the economy and implemented crucial reforms that should have been continued by his immediate successor.
Most critics are offended by the former president’s self-perception as God’s sole savior for Nigeria. He seems to believe that no leader before or after him measures up.
To provide context and clarity, it’s important to remember the former president’s stance on deregulating the downstream oil sector during his tenure.