The Federal Government has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his remarks labeling Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history. Obasanjo, in his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, also suggested that President Bola Tinubu’s government may surpass Buhari’s record in misgovernance and corruption.
The former president made these assertions while unveiling his book last week as part of his 88th birthday celebrations. He specifically condemned the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, calling it wasteful and corrupt. He also denounced the N21 billion spent on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing it as a misplaced priority.
Obasanjo further accused Buhari’s administration of entrenching corruption, particularly under the leadership of his former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami (SAN). He asserted that Buhari’s failure to curb corruption, despite his anti-corruption rhetoric, led to the worst period of financial mismanagement in Nigeria’s democratic history.
In response, the Presidency dismissed Obasanjo’s claims as unfounded and hypocritical. The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a “visionary legacy project” with enormous economic benefits.
Similarly, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the project, stating that criticisms were baseless. “The project is not wasteful or corrupt. It will bring prosperity to Nigerians. I urge critics not to mislead the public,” Umahi stated.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, also slammed Obasanjo, questioning his credibility. “If, as President for eight years, he couldn’t fix the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or Lagos-Abeokuta Road, we can’t take his latest views seriously,” Ajayi remarked.
Efforts to reach former President Buhari for a response were unsuccessful, as his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, did not return calls or messages. Malami also declined to comment, stating that he had not read the book. However, when pressed, he requested specific references to the allegations before responding.
Obasanjo’s book also criticized Buhari’s decision to pardon convicted former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, calling it a betrayal of anti-corruption efforts. He further accused former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika of financial mismanagement in the failed Nigeria Air project.
Tinubu’s Government Under Scrutiny
While Obasanjo’s criticism focused largely on Buhari, he also warned that Tinubu’s administration appeared to be continuing the trend of financial mismanagement. He claimed that decision-making under Tinubu’s government was primarily transactional, with the mindset of “It is my turn to chop.”
Despite the Presidency’s pushback, political analysts suggest that Obasanjo’s remarks have reignited the national debate on corruption and governance. With Tinubu still in his first term, the trajectory of his administration remains a subject of intense scrutiny.
As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether Tinubu’s government addresses these concerns or further fuels the skepticism surrounding its policies and expenditures.
