The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of crucial economic reforms and the military coup in Niger Republic.
Obasanjo had taken issue with Tinubu’s implementation of the removal of subsidies on petroleum products and the floating of the naira, noting that while the policies were necessary, they were poorly executed. This, he claimed, has exacerbated the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, marked by soaring food prices and inflation.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo expressed his views at a colloquium in Abuja titled “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity.”
“Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverishment of the economy and of Nigerians. These are the removal of subsidy, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange, and the third is dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic,” Obasanjo remarked.
This marks the first instance of Obasanjo openly criticising Tinubu, whom he did not support in the presidential race.
Responding on Monday, APC National Director Bala Ibrahim dismissed Obasanjo’s remarks, characterising the former president as a “serial critic” who might be showing signs of senility.
“As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms,” Ibrahim told The PUNCH.
“Ever since he lost the bid to have a third term in office, he has consistently attacked every regime that comes after him. He sees himself as the only one who meant well for Nigeria from independence to date. He thinks he is the best and every other leader is bad. And this is not good for a statesman. Nobody has a monopoly on knowledge or style of leadership.”
Ibrahim further noted that Obasanjo’s pattern of criticism extends beyond Tinubu, having previously targeted former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan. He argued that Obasanjo’s own tenure was marked by significant economic challenges.
“Obasanjo has been consistent in his criticisms of people in leadership positions apart from himself. So, this is not an isolated case. President Bola Tinubu is not the first to be attacked by Obasanjo. Buhari and Jonathan were also victims of his criticisms. He himself did not fare better when he was the leader. In fact, Obasanjo superintended the balkanisation of the Nigerian economy.”
He concluded by defending Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the economy, suggesting that Obasanjo’s persistent disparagement of successive governments undermines his credibility as a statesman.
