Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser for Public Communication and Orientation, has replied to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the 2023 general election. Dare called Obasanjo’s comments dishonest and without a proper basis. Obasanjo had called the election, which President Bola Tinubu won, a “disgrace” during a talk at Yale University.
Dare argued that Obasanjo’s own administration was widely known for corruption and that his claims of fighting corruption were “ridiculous.” He pointed out that Obasanjo’s time as president was marked by serious problems for democracy, especially his unsuccessful attempt to extend his term for a third time.
The President’s aide also questioned the reported $16 billion spent on power projects during Obasanjo’s presidency, noting inconsistencies in the former president’s explanations. Records show that Nigeria spent about $12.83 billion on power projects from 1973 to 2019, with Obasanjo’s government allocating N374.65 billion ($2.88 billion).
Dare advised Obasanjo to apologize for not building essential infrastructure during his time as president, rather than blaming later governments. He highlighted the Tinubu administration’s dedication to helping Nigerians by making changes in important systems.
