Obasanjo Lacks The Credibility To Lecture On Corruption” – Nigerians React To His Attacks On Tinubu, Buhari

In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo claimed that Buhari’s government was marked by “the most atrocious waste” and that “corruption was at its peak” during his tenure. He further suggested that the Tinubu administration was headed in the same direction and could even surpass Buhari’s record of misgovernance and corruption.

Prominent Nigerian figures swiftly responded, dismissing Obasanjo’s accusations, with many highlighting his own administration’s involvement in corruption.

Girei: Obasanjo Has No Right to Accuse Others

Senator Abubakar Girei, a former lawmaker from Adamawa State, argued that Obasanjo had no credibility to label any government as corrupt, given the corruption that marked his own presidency.

Girei, who represented Adamawa Central between 1999 and 2003, alleged firsthand knowledge of Obasanjo’s corrupt dealings, criticizing him for manipulating the Senate to install Evans Enwerem as Senate President, only for him to be impeached and replaced by Chuba Okadigbo. Girei also challenged Obasanjo to explain how his administration squandered ₦16 billion on a failed electricity project.

He praised Buhari as a man of integrity, despite the flaws of some people around him, and advised Obasanjo to allow Tinubu to focus on his duties.

Sani: Obasanjo Must Provide Evidence for His Claims

Anthony Sani, former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), accused Obasanjo of constantly undermining every Nigerian leader except himself. He urged Obasanjo to provide evidence to back up his claims, especially regarding the alleged corruption under Buhari and Tinubu. Sani also called on Obasanjo to explain why he believed the ₦15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project was wasteful.

Odili: Halliburton Scandal Happened Under Obasanjo’s Watch

Dr. Ifeanyi Odili, National President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), dismissed Obasanjo’s criticisms, pointing out that the Halliburton scandal—one of Nigeria’s largest corruption cases—took place during Obasanjo’s presidency. He argued that Obasanjo’s government had more corruption cases than Buhari’s and called for Obasanjo to retire from Nigerian politics.

The Halliburton scandal involved illegal payments to Nigerian officials from 1994 to 2004, leading to a $382 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, but no high-ranking Nigerian official was held accountable.

Adebayo: Obasanjo Oversaw Nigeria’s Worst Election

Hon. Adewale Adebayo, Osun State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), accused Obasanjo of overseeing “the worst election in Nigeria’s history” and running a corrupt government with political persecution.