The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rebuked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent criticism of the current administration’s handling of economic reforms and the response to the coup d’etat in Niger Republic.
Obasanjo had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of the removal of petroleum subsidy and the floating of the naira.
In recent months, Nigerians have faced rising costs of food and inflation following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the Tinubu administration.
Speaking at a colloquium in Abuja over the weekend, Obasanjo acknowledged the necessity of these policies but argued that they were poorly implemented, leading to economic hardship.
“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 of 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 in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
This marks the first time Obasanjo has openly criticized Tinubu, whom he did not support during the presidential elections.
In response, APC National Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed Obasanjo’s remarks, describing the former President as a “serial critic” who may be exhibiting signs of old age.
“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
Ibrahim further argued that Obasanjo’s pattern of consistent criticism dates back to his unsuccessful bid for a third term in office.
“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.”
He continued, “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.
Buhari and Jonathan were also victims of his criticisms.
He himself did not fare better when he was the leader.
In fact, Obasanjo superintended the balkanisation of the Nigerian economy.”
Ibrahim questioned the former President’s stance, noting, “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.”
