APC National Director Criticizes Obasanjo’s Comments on Tinubu’s Reforms
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his negative remarks about the current administration’s reforms and the handling of the coup d’état in Niger Republic.
Obasanjo recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s execution of the petroleum subsidy removal and the naira float. In recent months, these actions have led to increased food prices and inflation, causing widespread public dissatisfaction.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo acknowledged the necessity of these policies but condemned their implementation. Speaking at a colloquium in Abuja titled “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity,” Obasanjo said, “Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented, impoverishing the economy and Nigerians. These include the removal of subsidy, closing the gap between black market and official exchange rates, and addressing the military coup in Niger Republic.”
This marked Obasanjo’s first public criticism of Tinubu, whom he did not support for the presidency.
In response, APC National Director Bala Ibrahim criticized Obasanjo, referring to him as a consistent critic. Ibrahim suggested that Obasanjo might be showing signs of senility, stating, “As a Nigerian who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to set in. Ever since he failed to secure a third term in office, he has continuously attacked subsequent administrations. He sees himself as the only leader who has ever meant well for Nigeria. This is not a trait befitting a statesman. Nobody has a monopoly on wisdom or leadership style.”
Ibrahim pointed out that Obasanjo has consistently criticized leadership except during his own tenure. “This is not an isolated incident; President Tinubu is not the first to be targeted by Obasanjo’s criticisms. He also criticized Buhari and Jonathan. During his own presidency, Obasanjo oversaw the decline of Nigeria’s economy.”
Ibrahim further questioned Obasanjo’s authority to criticize someone attempting to improve the economy. “I am not a spokesman for Tinubu, but I believe Obasanjo has erred as he often does,” Ibrahim concluded.
