By Obinna Uballa
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo for reportedly describing President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “competing with Buhari in incompetence.”
Obasanjo made the remark in his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, launched in March alongside Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation.
In the first book, the former Nigerian president reviewed Nigeria’s leaders since independence and concluded that Muhammadu Buhari’s government was “the worst civil administration regime,” adding, “Only Bola Tinubu’s administration seems to be competing with Buhari’s for now.”
But while reacting in a statement on Tuesday, APC spokesperson in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, dismissed Obasanjo’s comment as “laughable, hypocritical, and borne out of bitterness.”
“It is ironic that a man whose tenure is remembered for arrogance, squandered opportunities and failed democratic subversion would have the audacity to label anyone incompetent,” Oladejo said.
He argued that Tinubu has taken bold steps no previous leader dared, including removing fuel subsidy, reforming the foreign exchange market, and tackling inefficiencies.
“Obasanjo’s bitterness is well-known. He cannot control this government and resents that Nigeria has moved on from his brand of egocentric, do-or-die politics. His attacks on sitting presidents when he loses relevance have become predictable and pathetic,” the statement added.
The Lagos chapter of the APC further accused Obasanjo of presiding over massive corruption, a failed third-term bid, and mismanaged power sector reforms.
“Nigerians witnessed unprecedented graft under Obasanjo. Billions for power disappeared, debt returned despite his claims of clearance, and his third-term agenda nearly plunged the country into crisis,” Oladejo said.
He advised Obasanjo to “show decorum” and avoid “attention-seeking outbursts,” adding that Tinubu is focused on reforms, recovery, and renewal.
“If Nigeria is still recovering from structural rot, Obasanjo bears a huge share of the blame. The mess didn’t start with Buhari and certainly isn’t being deepened by Tinubu—it started long before, under men who now pretend to be saints,” the statement concluded.
