- ‘Tinubu Initiating Right Policies But Implementations Are Wrong,’ Says Obasanjo
- ‘Obasanjo Is Suffering From Old Age Syndrome’ — APC
By Abiola Olawale
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in a heated exchange of opinions regarding the reforms imitated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The trouble started when Obasanjo, a two-term President of Nigeria (1999-2007), criticised Tinubu for the manner he implemented the removal of subsidy from petrol and the floating of naira.
The ex-President, who spoke in Abuja at the weekend, at a colloquium tagged: “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity,” said most of the policies implemented by Tinubu have placed Nigeria in severe economic hardship.
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, May 26, by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said though the policies initiated by Tinubu were necessary, they were wrongly implemented.
Obasanjo was quoted to have said: “Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverisation of the economy and 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.”
However, in a swift response, the APC National Director, Bala Ibrahim, on Monday, May 27, faulted Obasanjo’s comments, describing him as a serial critic.
Ibrahim, who spoke with the press, said that Obasanjo might be suffering from old age syndrome, wondering why the former president thinks he only has the monopoly of leadership and reforms that would better Nigerians.
He said: “As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms.
“Ever since he lost the bid to have 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.
“Obasanjo has been consistent in his criticisms of people in leadership positions apart from himself. So, this is not an isolated case. President Bola Tinubu is not the first to be attacked by Obasanjo. (former President Muhammadu) Buhari and (ex-President Goodluck) Jonathan were also victims of his criticisms.
“(But) he did not fare better when he was the leader. Obasanjo superintended the balkanisation of the Nigerian economy.
“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.”
