The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a sharp response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his critique of President Bola Tinubu’s recent reforms. Obasanjo voiced his concerns over the weekend at a colloquium in Abuja, themed “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity.”
Obasanjo stated, “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 subsidies, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange, and dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic.”
This marked the first instance of Obasanjo publicly criticizing Tinubu, whom he did not support during the presidential elections.
In response, APC National Director Bala Ibrahim rebuked Obasanjo on Monday, suggesting that the former president may be showing signs of senility. Speaking to The PUNCH, Ibrahim expressed his respect for Obasanjo but voiced concerns about his consistent criticisms.
“As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms,” Ibrahim said. “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. This is not good for a statesman. Nobody has a monopoly on knowledge or leadership style.”
Ibrahim noted that Obasanjo’s criticisms are not limited to Tinubu. “Obasanjo has been consistent in his criticisms of people in leadership positions apart from himself. 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 presided over the balkanization of the Nigerian economy.”
Ibrahim questioned Obasanjo’s judgment on Tinubu’s efforts to improve the 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,” he concluded.