The Presidency has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other government detractors, accusing them of attempting to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address terrorism.
Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, issued a statement on Sunday titled, “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship.”
He stated that Obasanjo and “routine presidential contenders” were unfairly presenting the Tinubu administration as being incapable of safeguarding Nigerians.
Dare argued that their criticisms disregard the extensive nature of terrorist threats and labeled their remarks as “surrender” rather than genuine statesmanship. In recent weeks, Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other opposition figures have spoken out against the escalating insecurity and questioned the government’s non-military approach to security.
Speaking at an event in Jos on Friday, Obasanjo expressed apprehension about the lack of security, maintaining that Nigerians are entitled to seek foreign aid if the government neglects its duty.
He said: “Regardless of your religious affiliation. Regardless of your place of origin. Regardless of your profession, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government appears unable to protect us.
“We are part of the international community. If our government is failing to do so, we have the right to appeal to the global community to do for us what our government cannot accomplish.”
Dare responded by calling Obasanjo’s comments “insincere and disgraceful,” asserting that Boko Haram started to gain influence during Obasanjo’s tenure.
He stated: “The proposition that Nigeria should essentially contract out its internal security to foreign powers is not statesmanship; it is capitulation.
“Before suggesting surrender, the former President should reflect on his own failures when these terrorist groups first began to organize under his watch.”
Dare further claimed it is a “documented fact” that Boko Haram’s “ideological basis and initial groups” emerged during Obasanjo’s term, when the government failed to take decisive action.
According to him, what began as a small extremist group later evolved into a violent insurgency and a regional danger aligned with global jihadist movements.
He described it as “irresponsible” for the leader under whose watch the group grew to now deliver public lectures.
Dare emphasized that President Tinubu is tackling terrorism through military operations, intelligence activities, restoring governance in affected areas, and counter-radicalization programs.
He warned that criticizing the administration could embolden the terrorists. He said, “When former leaders discredit the nation’s capacity, they provide psychological victories to the very terrorists who are murdering, kidnapping, and extorting Nigerians.”
Dare added that Obasanjo should acknowledge past mistakes and support the government instead of undermining it.
He said Obasanjo should “offer his position and influence to Nigeria” rather than critique an administration focused on economic recovery, security, and infrastructure.
He concluded by stating that President Tinubu remains dedicated to securing the country and that the government will not be distracted by what he termed “selective forgetfulness presented as elder statesmanship.”
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