The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent remarks on the administration’s reforms and its handling of the coup d’état in Niger Republic.
Obasanjo had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of the petroleum subsidy removal and the floating of the naira, which has led to significant economic challenges for Nigerians, including rising food costs and inflation.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo acknowledged that while Tinubu’s policies were necessary, their implementation was flawed. He expressed these views during a colloquium in Abuja titled “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity.”
“Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverishment 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,” Obasanjo said.
This marks the first time Obasanjo has publicly criticized Tinubu, whom he did not support for the presidency.
In response, APC National Director Bala Ibrahim described Obasanjo as a serial critic who may be showing signs of old age. Ibrahim suggested that Obasanjo’s criticisms stem from his failed bid for a third term in office and his belief that he is the only one capable of leading Nigeria effectively.
“As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms,” Ibrahim stated. “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.”
Ibrahim noted that Obasanjo’s consistent criticisms have targeted various leaders, including Presidents Buhari and Jonathan, and argued that Obasanjo did not fare better during his own tenure.
“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,” Ibrahim concluded.
