Olusegun Obasanjo: “A man with a tremendous capacity for mischief” – Presidency

Special advisor to president Bola Tinubu on public communication and orientation, Sunday Dare, revealed that Nigeria’s democracy suffered significant setbacks under former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Dare asserted in a statement posted on his X account on Monday that president Tinubu is currently making great strides in resolving the harm caused by Obasanjo.

He stated that previous administrations found these harms difficult to repair.

Dare asserts that Obasanjo should apologize to Nigerians for not laying the infrastructure required for the nation’s advancement.

He claims that the ex president no longer has the moral right to criticize the current administration.

He stated: “Democracy suffered mortal wounds under his watch, only exacerbated by his destructive obsession with an ill-fated third-term bid.

“He is a man with a tremendous capacity for mischief, and Nigerians know it.

“His journey down the path of delusion has always been apparent, as has his descent into distorting facts, forgetting that he presided over a presidency that was among the most corrupt in history.

“His recent comments at Yale University lack sincerity.

“It is laughable that Obasanjo’s pretensions about fighting corruption are failing to convince the general public”, he added.

Dare pointed out that under Obasanjo’s leadership, no explanation was ever given for the $16bn wasted on generating “megawatts of darkness” across the nation.

“But that is not even the main issue.

“The Yoruba proverb, ‘A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo,’ teaches that we should not be distracted by the noise of the market.

“Instead, we should focus on the person with whom we are negotiating.

“This is an instructive lesson.

“In this market called Nigeria, the man with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda is the one that matters – President Tinubu and, indeed, Nigerians.

“Everything else is just ‘ariwo oja’ (market noise).

“This administration will remain focused on bringing relief to Nigerians.

“Obasanjo’s remarks are a reflection of the childish nature of market noise.

“President Tinubu will stay the course in seeing through the reforms he has initiated for a better Nigeria”, he stated.

He advised Obasanjo to refrain from constantly criticising his successors.

He suggested to the former president to take time to reflect on how he has contributed to the parlous state of the Nigerian nation.

This Dare stands that President Tinubu is now valiantly working to restore.

“We thank former President Obasanjo for acknowledging that ‘Yes, there is hope.’

“That’s the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda that President Tinubu is advancing, and it’s well on track.

“We look forward to having that conversation with the former president”, he concluded.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo is a renowned Nigerian statesman and military leader who played a significant role in shaping the country’s history.

Born on March 5, 1937, in Ibogun-Olaogun, a village in southwest Nigeria.

Obasanjo was raised Baptist and educated largely in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He joined the Nigerian Army in 1958 and specialized in engineering, rising to the rank of major.

Obasanjo’s military career took him to various countries, including the Congo, Britain, and India.

Obasanjo’s rise to prominence began in 1975 when he became part of a ruling triumvirate after a military coup.

Following the assassination of the triumvirate’s leader, Murtala Muhammed, Obasanjo was appointed head of state by the Supreme Military Council.

During his tenure, he oversaw budgetary cutbacks, expanded access to free education, and supported groups opposing white minority rule in southern Africa.

Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election and transferred power to the newly elected civilian president, Shehu Shagari.

After retiring from politics, Olusegun Obasanjo became a farmer and published four books.

However, he was arrested and convicted of being part of a planned coup in 1995 under Sani Abacha’s administration.

Following Abacha’s death in 1998, Obasanjo was released and entered electoral politics, becoming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 1999 presidential election, which he won.

As president, Obasanjo de-politicized the military, expanded the police, and mobilized the army to combat ethnic and religious violence.

Obasanjo‘s presidency was marked by significant events, including Nigeria’s transition to democracy and his role as chair of the African Union from 2004 to 2006.

Analyst asserts that his commitment to Pan-Africanism and cooperation across the continent has earned him recognition as one of the great figures of the second generation of post-colonial African leaders.

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