Presidency Slams Obasanjo as ‘Kingmaker and Hypocrite’

Presidency Slams Obasanjo as ‘Kingmaker and Hypocrite’

Presidency Slams Obasanjo Over Criticism of Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration in Rivers

The Nigerian Presidency has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for condemning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

During the birthday colloquium of former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Obasanjo rebuked Tinubu’s actions, stating that “Democracy is not about power grabbing illegally and telling victims to go to court.” He specifically criticized the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In response, Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, labeled Obasanjo as “the grandfather of hypocrisy” in Nigeria, accusing him of manipulating democracy during his own tenure.

Dada claimed that between 2003 and 2004, Obasanjo acted as a “kingmaker and demigod,” using his influence to suppress political opposition. He alleged that Obasanjo and his then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar orchestrated the rigging of elections in several states, ensuring that opposition governors in Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Oyo were removed while sparing only Lagos.

The statement also referenced Obasanjo’s controversial tenure, citing instances such as:

• The forced resignation of Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige at gunpoint, allegedly orchestrated by high-ranking police officials.
• The frequent removal of Senate Presidents through cash inducements and political maneuvering.
• A spree of gubernatorial impeachments from 2005 to 2006, which affected Bayelsa, Ekiti, Plateau, Oyo, and Anambra states—most of which were later overturned by the courts.

Dada argued that Obasanjo’s criticism of Tinubu was an attempt to “whitewash his own bad democratic records” and deflect from his role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape. The Presidency maintained that Obasanjo had no moral authority to lecture on democracy, given his history of political interference and authoritarian tendencies.

Presidency Accuses Obasanjo of Hypocrisy Over Criticism of Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration

The Presidency has hit back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of hypocrisy for criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, highlighted Obasanjo’s own controversial actions while in office, arguing that he lacks the moral authority to condemn Tinubu’s decisions.

Dada recalled how Obasanjo unilaterally declared the seat of his then-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, vacant after a corruption indictment. As a result, Atiku spent months in court ahead of the 2007 elections, struggling to keep his political career alive. Obasanjo even went as far as declaring sudden national public holidays to prevent the courts from ruling on Atiku’s legal challenge.

The Presidency also accused Obasanjo of attempting to secure an unconstitutional third term in office through a deceitful constitutional amendment designed solely to extend his tenure. When that failed, he allegedly manipulated the 2007 election to install his handpicked successors in what is widely regarded as the most flawed election in Nigeria’s history—even admitted by its beneficiary.

Obasanjo’s criticism of Tinubu’s actions in Rivers State was further challenged by pointing to his own past decisions. In May 2004, Obasanjo declared a State of Emergency in Plateau State, suspending Governor Joshua Dariye and the State Assembly, appointing a retired general, Chris Ali, as Sole Administrator. He later did the same in Ekiti State.

Unlike Tinubu’s situation, where the Rivers Assembly and Governor Fubara were directly involved in the crisis, Obasanjo suspended the entire Plateau legislature even though they were not accused of any wrongdoing—simply because the governor had failed to stop religious violence.

Dada concluded that Obasanjo’s selective criticism exposes him as “the grandfather of hypocrisy in Nigeria today.”

Presidency Slams Obasanjo as ‘Kingmaker and Hypocrite’