The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has launched a scathing critique of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and leaving a legacy of systemic failures that successive administrations have struggled to address.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Dare alleged that democracy suffered “mortal wounds” under Obasanjo’s leadership, citing his controversial third-term bid as a significant blemish. According to Dare, Obasanjo’s tenure was marked by corruption and policy missteps, leaving little room for him to criticize the current administration.
“Democracy suffered mortal wounds under his watch, only exacerbated by his destructive obsession with an ill-fated third-term bid,” Dare stated. “He presided over a presidency that was among the most corrupt in history. His recent comments at Yale University lack sincerity and credibility.”
The adviser particularly highlighted the unaccounted $16 billion spent on failed power projects during Obasanjo’s administration, which he described as generating “megawatts of darkness.”
In a pointed remark, Dare used a Yoruba proverb to emphasize the importance of focusing on President Tinubu’s governance rather than being distracted by Obasanjo’s critiques.
“In this market called Nigeria, the man with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda is the one that matters – President Tinubu and, indeed, Nigerians. Everything else is just ‘ariwo oja’ (market noise),” Dare said.
He further urged Obasanjo to reflect on his administration’s shortcomings, advising him to desist from criticizing his successors. Dare affirmed that President Tinubu is committed to reforms aimed at restoring Nigeria’s economy and governance.
“We thank former President Obasanjo for acknowledging that ‘Yes, there is hope.’ That’s the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda that President Tinubu is advancing, and it’s well on track,” he concluded.
Dare’s remarks come amidst ongoing debates about the legacies of past leaders and the current administration’s policies.
