Presidency’s Needless Vilification of Obasanjo

The Presidency last week criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent position on the nation’s security crisis, saying that the former president lacks the credibility to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the worsening security situation in the country.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, it asserted that the foundation of terrorism and extremist violence in Nigeria was laid during Obasanjo’s tenure.

Speaking penultimate Friday at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carols in Jos, Obasanjo said given the available technology today – drones, Nigeria ought to be engaged in the business of taking terrorists and bandits out, not negotiating with them or apologising to Nigerians for their violent activities.

He called on the federal government to take decisive action against bandits and terrorists as well as embrace international assistance to confront escalating insecurity.

The elder statesman asked the federal government to stop apologising and negotiating with terrorists. He added that Nigerians have the right to seek foreign intervention when the government has failed to protect its citizens.

Responding, the Presidency lampooned Obasanjo for his comment that President Tinubu should seek foreign help if he is unable to address the challenges, adding that calling for Nigeria to subcontract its internal security to foreign governments is not an act of statesmanship.

The Presidency accused Obasanjo’s administration of allowing terrorism to take root by failing to take early action.

It is unfortunate that the presidency is still in denial and indeed unfair for it to heap gratuitous insults on Obasanjo for offering an innocuous advice on how to address the insecurity ravaging the country.

The question to ask is: What did the former president say that warranted the unnecessary vilification? Is the country not overwhelmed by insecurity today?

Was Nigeria this insecure when Obasanjo was in power from 1999 to 2007?

This is not the time to be throwing tantrums or insults at anyone that is courageous enough to volunteer suggestions. It is time for all hands to be on deck to tackle the problem.