‘Buhari’s administration was the worst in history’ – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that his administration is currently rivaling that of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of incompetence.

These remarks are found in Obasanjo’s recently published book, titled “Nigeria: Past and Future,” which he launched in March to commemorate his 88th birthday.

The second publication, titled “Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation,” accompanies the first.

In the book’s introductory chapter, entitled “From the Beginning Till Now: The Missing Key,” Obasanjo reviews the leadership of Nigeria since its independence. He designates Buhari’s administration as the “worst civil administration regime” in the country’s history.

“Only Bola Tinubu’s administration seems to be competing with Buhari’s for now,” Obasanjo wrote.

Obasanjo recalled how Buhari, during his earlier political career, criticized the government of Shehu Shagari as corrupt, rudderless, and self-serving, but later returned as a democratically elected president without addressing the problems he had previously identified.

“Words are cheap, and what needed to be done was left undone during Buhari’s civil administration from 2015 to 2023 – the worst civil administration so far in Nigeria’s history. Maybe those ideas and thoughts were not his; he just read them as written for him. Otherwise, how do you explain the gulf between what he said then and how he governed later?” Obasanjo questioned.

Reflecting on his lifelong commitment to Nigeria’s progress, the former president said his writings are intended to inspire national development.

“I have had the honour of serving this country as a military Head of State and later as President. So, it might be said that I have sat on both sides of the fence. Now, I am getting close to my departure lounge, maybe without picking my boarding pass yet,” he stated.

Obasanjo also addressed criticisms labeling him hypocritical, insisting that his conscience remains clear.