APC tackles Obasanjo for criticising Tinubu’s govt

By Innocent Raphael

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tackled former President Olusegun Obasanjo for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s reforms.

Former President Obasanjo had expressed disapproval of Tinubu’s approach to removing the petroleum subsidy and floating the naira.

Obasanjo’s comments came amid public discontent over rising food prices and inflation following the Tinubu government’s economic measures.

In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo acknowledged the necessity of these policies but argued they were poorly executed.

Speaking at a weekend colloquium in Abuja titled “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity,” Obasanjo stated.

“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.”

This marked the first time Obasanjo openly criticized Tinubu, whom he had not supported for the presidency.

In response, APC National Director Bala Ibrahim accused Obasanjo of being a habitual critic and suggested his age might be affecting his judgment.

Ibrahim said, “As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms.”

He further remarked, “Ever since he lost the bid for 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 pointed out that Obasanjo’s pattern of criticism is not new, noting that former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan also faced similar reproaches from him.

“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 balkanization of the Nigerian economy”, said Ibrahim.

Challenging Obasanjo’s assessment of Tinubu’s economic policies, Ibrahim concluded, “How can he say someone who is trying to put the economy on a better pedestal is not doing the right thing? I am not a spokesman for Tinubu. Even though the party has discussed him to my knowledge, I practically feel Obasanjo has erred as he has always been doing”.