The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has alleged that Nigeria’s democracy faced significant setbacks during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Dare argued that successive administrations have struggled to undo the damage caused during Obasanjo’s presidency, adding that President Tinubu is now making notable progress in addressing these lingering issues.
According to Dare, Obasanjo has lost the moral authority to criticise the current administration, urging him to apologise to Nigerians for failing to provide the foundational infrastructure necessary for the nation’s development.
“Democracy suffered severe wounds under his leadership, worsened by his destructive pursuit of an ill-fated third-term agenda,” Dare said. “He has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for mischief, and Nigerians are well aware of this.”
Dare accused Obasanjo of distorting facts and criticized his recent remarks at Yale University as insincere. He described Obasanjo’s presidency as one of the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history.
“It’s laughable that Obasanjo’s claims about fighting corruption fail to resonate with the public,” Dare said, adding that no satisfactory explanation was ever provided for the $16 billion spent on electricity projects that failed to deliver results.
Quoting a Yoruba proverb, Dare remarked, “A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo,” meaning, “We should not be distracted by the noise in the market but focus on the person we are negotiating with.” He noted that in Nigeria’s “market,” the focus is on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, not Obasanjo’s criticisms.
“Everything else is just noise,” he added. “This administration remains committed to bringing relief to Nigerians, and Obasanjo’s remarks are nothing more than distractions.”
Dare urged Obasanjo to reflect on his role in Nigeria’s challenges instead of consistently criticising his successors.
“We thank former President Obasanjo for admitting that ‘Yes, there is hope.’ That’s precisely the Renewed Hope agenda that President Tinubu is driving forward, and it is well on track. We look forward to engaging constructively with the former president on this matter,” Dare concluded.
