The Nigerian government has described former President Obasanjo’s recent criticism of the Tinubu administration as “another display of his characteristic self-importance.
In a statement released on Monday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the former president’s habit of casting aspersions on every successive administration was unbecoming of an elder statesman. He suggested that he should add his voice to a constructive national dialogue that will move the nation forward.
“Former President Obasanjo has continuously pumped himself up as the economic wizard of Nigeria. But a reality check showed he was nothing of such. He left unresolved many, if not all, of the problems of Nigeria, which he itemised in his lecture.” Onanuga said.
Obasanjo, in an address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held on Saturday at Yale University in the US, described Nigeria’s current economic situation as very bad and said that the situation is made worse by the leaders’ unwillingness to take responsibility. He also demanded a change in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
However, in response, Onanuga added, “It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
“On matters of integrity, honesty, and morality in public leadership, Chief Obasanjo is certainly not a paragon of virtue for anyone to model after.”
He stressed that as the Tinubu administration strives to navigate the nation’s economic hurdles, it would be more beneficial and prudent for the former President to moderate his self-righteousness in public comments about our country’s current struggles.
