The Presidency has launched a scathing critique of former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his recent comments at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, where he disparaged the leadership of Nigeria’s successive administrations.
In a press release issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the Presidency accused Obasanjo of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, asserting that his own tenure as Nigeria’s leader was riddled with failures and corruption.
“Former President Obasanjo once again took to the public stage to bestow his unsolicited wisdom on leadership and governance in Nigeria,” the statement read.
“Unfortunately, his habit of casting aspersions on every subsequent administration has devolved into a recurring pastime, overshadowing the expectation of an elder statesman to engage in constructive dialogue for national progress.”
The Presidency took particular issue with Obasanjo’s description of Nigeria as a “failing country” and his characterization of past administrations.
The statement highlighted what it called the “irony” of Obasanjo using a forum honoring Chinua Achebe to lecture on governance.
“It is on record that Professor Achebe rejected a national honor from Obasanjo’s administration in 2004, citing ‘the prevalence of abuse of power, corruption, and poor leadership.’
Obasanjo actively supported the abduction of a sitting governor in Achebe’s home state. Such a man lacks the moral high ground to preach governance ethics,” the statement said.
A Record of controversies
The Presidency described Obasanjo’s tenure as one marked by constitutional violations and questionable economic decisions. It cited the “unconstitutional impeachment” of four governors, the alleged use of public funds for personal gains, and his administration’s failed attempts to modernize Nigeria’s infrastructure and military.
“Brazen illegality reached a disturbing height under Obasanjo,” the statement alleged.
“His administration impeached governors with minority votes and orchestrated a third-term bid that consumed billions of naira but ended in disgrace.”
The Presidency also criticized Obasanjo’s handling of Nigeria’s economy, accusing him of prioritizing debt repayment to the detriment of critical infrastructure.
“While he boasts about paying off $15 billion to the Paris Club, it was done at the expense of Nigeria’s crumbling roads, failing educational institutions, and neglected refineries,” the statement added.
Integrity Under Scrutiny
Onanuga further questioned Obasanjo’s integrity, citing allegations of corruption during his administration.
“Nigerians can still remember the messy spat between Obasanjo and his Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, over the misuse of PTDF funds. Obasanjo himself was implicated in the Halliburton scandal and the misuse of billions in the failed power sector reform,” the release said.
The Presidency also accused Obasanjo of abusing his position to build his personal legacy. “As a sitting president, Obasanjo coerced businessmen and contractors to donate billions of naira to his private library and university projects,” the statement alleged.
A call for reflection
While addressing the nation’s current challenges, the Presidency urged Obasanjo to reflect on his tenure and focus on solutions rather than criticisms.
“If Obasanjo had addressed the problems he critiqued in his poorly written Yale lecture when he ruled for eight years, Presidents Buhari and Tinubu would have had a much lighter burden fixing the country,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency concluded by advising Obasanjo to “temper his self-righteousness” and use his remaining years to reflect on his missed opportunities as both a military and civilian leader.
“Instead of sermonizing, he should contribute meaningfully to national discourse,” the statement said.
This rebuke is the latest in a series of criticisms aimed at Obasanjo, whose remarks on governance have sparked heated debates in Nigeria’s political landscape.