Obasanjo’s Hollow Rant At Ihedioha’s Colloquium

PROF WOLE AWOJIDE 

Former President Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo’s hypocrisy is both shameless and exhausting. His sudden concern for democracy is laughable at best and hypocritical at worst. The man who oversaw some of the worst electoral fraud in Nigeria’s history, attempted to strong-arm his way into an unconstitutional third term, and used state institutions as personal weapons of oppression now dares to lecture the nation and continent on democracy? His tenure was marked by brazen political manipulation, disregard for due process, and an obsession with absolute control.

Under his watch, elections were anything but free and fair, the rule of law was trampled upon, and opposition voices were ruthlessly suppressed. His so-called democratic credentials are built on deception, coercion, and a desperate attempt to rewrite history in his favour.

Obasanjo’s newfound righteousness is laughable for someone who benefited immensely from a system he actively sabotaged. He was the architect of many of the institutional failings that Nigeria still grapples with today. He sowed the seeds of corruption, nepotism, and electoral malpractice while pretending to be a reformer. His economic policies were riddled with inconsistencies, his privatisation efforts under the watch of his shady Vice at the time, Atiku Abubakar, were mired in controversy, and his administration did little to build sustainable democratic structures. Instead, he governed with an iron fist, silencing dissent and prioritising personal political survival over national progress. Now, having left the country in a mess several years ago, he wants to pose as a wise elder? Nigeria has moved on, and his brand of self-righteous posturing holds no weight anymore.

If Obasanjo truly cares about democracy, he should take a long, hard look at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. President Tinubu is actively strengthening institutions, implementing meaningful reforms, and steering the country toward economic recovery and national cohesion. He is tackling the challenges that Obasanjo helped create, rebuilding confidence in governance and building a genuinely inclusive political environment.

Obasanjo is not a statesman but a relic of Nigeria’s turbulent past – a man who contributed more to the country’s democratic setbacks than its progress. His time is over. Instead of seeking relevance through empty rhetoric, he should embrace silence and let those who genuinely understand governance lead the way.