Tinubu aide slams Obasanjo over ‘hypocritical’ comments on insecurity

By Kunle Sanni –

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other opposition figures for what he described as attempts to undermine the administration’s anti-terrorism efforts.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday and titled “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship,” Dare faulted recent remarks by Obasanjo and “habitual presidential aspirants” suggesting that the Tinubu-led government is incapable of safeguarding Nigerians.

Obasanjo, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other critics, had in recent weeks condemned rising insecurity and questioned the Federal Government’s reliance on non-kinetic measures.

Speaking at an event in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, Obasanjo said Nigerians were justified in seeking international intervention due to what he described as government failure to protect its citizens.

“No matter what religion you belong to, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us,” Obasanjo said, adding that citizens have the right to call on the international community if the government fails in its duties.

Dare, in response, labelled the former president’s comments “hypocritical and ignoble,” accusing him of ignoring the historical roots of terrorism in Nigeria.

He argued that Boko Haram’s ideological foundations took shape during Obasanjo’s tenure, when the sect reportedly grew unchecked, transforming from a small extremist group into a full-fledged insurgency due to failures to act decisively in its early stages.

Dare maintained that the Tinubu administration is confronting terrorism through military action, intelligence operations, governance reforms in vulnerable areas, and counter-radicalisation programmes, warning that public statements undermining the government’s capacity could embolden terrorist groups.