Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, has expressed strong disapproval of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent comments, in which he referred to President Tinubu as “baba-go slow.”
Obasanjo made this remark while delivering a keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. He noted that the current state of Nigeria was dire and visible to the world.
In response, Dare took to X with a detailed message, emphasizing that Obasanjo’s presidency was marked by significant corruption. He urged the former leader to apologize to the Nigerian people, claiming he has lost the moral authority to criticize any government.
Dare further asserted that democracy faced serious challenges during Obasanjo’s tenure.
“Former President Obasanjo possesses a remarkable talent for mischief, and Nigerians are well aware of this. His tendency to distort reality is evident. He presided over a government notorious for corruption, and his recent comments at Yale lack authenticity,” Dare stated.
“It’s quite amusing that Obasanjo’s façade of fighting corruption is failing to resonate with the public. We are all aware of what transpired during his administration, including the unexplained disappearance of $16 billion intended for power generation, which resulted in widespread darkness. Yet, that’s not the primary issue at hand.
“Democracy endured significant setbacks during his rule, particularly highlighted by his desperate attempt at a third term. Subsequent governments have struggled to rectify the chaos left in his wake, and President Tinubu is currently making strides in that direction.”
Obasanjo no longer has the moral standing to criticize any administration and should apologize to Nigerians for failing to establish the essential infrastructure needed for the country’s progress.”
“There’s a Yoruba saying, ‘A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo,’ which translates to ignoring the clamor of the market while focusing on the negotiator. This serves as a reminder. In the marketplace of Nigeria, it is the leader with a renewed hope agenda who truly matters. Everything else is merely background noise. This administration remains committed to delivering relief to Nigerians. Obasanjo’s comments merely reflect the juvenile nature of market chatter.
President Tinubu will remain steadfast in implementing the reforms necessary for a better Nigeria.”
