BY DAMILOLA ADELEKE

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has come under heavy criticism following his recent remarks about past and present administrations. In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo accused former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of overseeing “the most atrocious waste” and claimed corruption reached its peak under his tenure. He also suggested that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was heading in the same direction, possibly surpassing Buhari in misgovernance.

However, several political figures and analysts have dismissed Obasanjo’s claims, pointing to controversies during his own presidency.

Senator Abubakar Girei, a former lawmaker from Adamawa State, argued that Obasanjo lacked the credibility to brand any leader as corrupt. He recalled how Obasanjo allegedly manipulated the Senate and questioned the failed ₦16 billion power project during his administration. He defended Buhari’s integrity, stating that while some of his associates may have been questionable, the former president himself remained honest.

Similarly, Anthony Sani, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), challenged Obasanjo to provide evidence for his allegations instead of making sweeping claims. He noted that Nigerians deserved data-backed analyses, not mere accusations.

Dr. Ifeanyi Odili, National President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), reminded Obasanjo of the Halliburton bribery scandal that occurred under his leadership. He accused the former president of trying to control Nigerian politics even in retirement, urging him to step aside and let current leaders govern.

Hon. Adewale Adebayo, Osun State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), described Obasanjo’s tenure as one of the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history. He accused him of overseeing fraudulent elections and engaging in political witch-hunting. Defending Tinubu’s administration, he called the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project a transformative initiative and urged Obasanjo to seek forgiveness for his past misdeeds.

Dr. Bashir Ruwagodia, a Katsina-based civil rights activist, acknowledged that while Buhari was personally incorruptible, his administration failed to curb corruption effectively. He criticized the lack of accountability for corrupt officials.

Former Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, echoed these concerns, admitting that corruption thrived under Buhari’s leadership due to weak oversight. He cited ongoing trials of former officials, including ex-Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika and former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, as proof of systemic failures.

Shittu urged the Tinubu government to learn from Buhari’s shortcomings and implement stronger anti-corruption policies.

With the backlash mounting, critics argue that Obasanjo should focus on his legacy rather than continually attacking successive administrations.