Presidency rebukes Obasanjo, others over criticism of security strategy
Presidential aide Sunday Dare has faulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other opposition figures for what he termed deliberate attempts to undermine the Tinubu administration’s security efforts.
In a statement released on Sunday via his X handle and titled Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship, Dare said recent remarks from Obasanjo and “habitual presidential aspirants” misrepresented the government’s approach to tackling terrorism and insecurity.
Dare argued that critics were ignoring the scale of today’s threats, insisting their comments amounted to surrender rather than responsible statesmanship.
Obasanjo, speaking in Jos on Friday, had expressed disappointment over the rise in violent attacks across the country. He suggested that Nigerians had the right to seek international help if their government was unable to protect them. “We Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us,” he said.
Responding, Dare described the former president’s position as “hypocritical,” arguing that Boko Haram’s early structures emerged during Obasanjo’s time in office. “The ideological foundations and early cells of Boko Haram were incubated during Obasanjo’s civilian presidency,” he wrote. “For the leader under whom the first seeds of terrorism were allowed to germinate to now issue public lectures is not just ironic, it is reckless.”
He maintained that President Tinubu is employing a broad approach to security, combining military action, intelligence operations, community programmes and counter-radicalisation efforts. Public comments that cast doubt on the state’s capacity, he warned, could embolden violent groups.
“When former leaders disparage the nation’s capacity, they hand psychological victories to the very terrorists murdering, kidnapping and extorting Nigerians,” he said.
Dare urged Obasanjo and others to support current efforts rather than discourage them. “If Obasanjo wishes to help, he should acknowledge the past failures that allowed terrorists to gain a foothold, and then support ongoing efforts,” he added.
The presidential aide said all Nigerians have a role to play in strengthening security, stressing that President Tinubu remains committed to defending the country. “This administration will not be distracted by selective amnesia wrapped in elder-statesmanship,” he said.
