By Presidential Adviser Sunday Dare Criticizes Obasanjo’s Legacy, Highlights Tinubu’s Reforms
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, has asserted that Nigeria’s democracy faced significant challenges during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Dare claimed that Obasanjo’s tenure left deep-seated issues that successive administrations struggled to address. He emphasized that President Tinubu is making notable progress in tackling these challenges.
According to Dare, Obasanjo lacks the moral standing to criticize the current government and should instead apologize to Nigerians for what he described as a failure to build critical infrastructure for the nation’s development.
“Democracy suffered severe setbacks under his watch, worsened by his obsession with a failed third-term bid. His presidency was among the most corrupt in history, and Nigerians are fully aware of his capacity for mischief,” Dare stated.
The adviser also criticized Obasanjo’s recent remarks at Yale University, describing them as insincere and dismissive of the former president’s track record. He highlighted the unaccounted $16 billion spent on power projects during Obasanjo’s tenure, which Dare referred to as yielding “megawatts of darkness.”
Dare drew on a Yoruba proverb, “A o ki n wo ariwo oja, eniti a anba na oja ni a n wo,” urging Nigerians to focus on Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda rather than distractions. He insisted that the current administration remains committed to delivering relief and reforms to improve the nation’s fortunes.
He further called on Obasanjo to reflect on his role in the country’s struggles instead of repeatedly criticizing his successors.
“We appreciate former President Obasanjo’s acknowledgment that ‘Yes, there is hope.’ That aligns with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda that President Tinubu is championing, and we are eager to continue the conversation with him,” Dare concluded.
The statement underscores the administration’s determination to focus on reforms while addressing critiques from previous leaders.
