Presidency Hits Back At Obasanjo Over Tinubu's Emergency Declaration

Tensions Rise Between Presidency and Ex-President Obasanjo

Let me break it down for you. The Presidency has come out swinging against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's decision to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State. This is big, folks, and it's worth diving deeper into the details.

According to Naija News, Obasanjo, during a birthday colloquium for former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, said something that really stirred the pot. He declared, “Democracy is not about power grabbing illegally and telling victims to go to court.” Now, that’s a pretty bold statement, and it didn’t sit well with Tinubu’s camp.

Obasanjo Slams Tinubu's Actions in Rivers State

Obasanjo didn’t stop there. He slammed Tinubu for suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, her Deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly. This criticism has sparked a heated debate, with many weighing in on both sides of the argument. It’s like a heavyweight boxing match, with both sides throwing some serious punches.

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Presidency Fires Back Through Social Media

In response, the Special Assistant to Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, didn’t hold back. He described Obasanjo as the "grandfather of hypocrisy in Nigeria at the moment." That’s a pretty strong accusation, and it shows just how intense this political showdown has become.

Dada accused Obasanjo of trying to rewrite history and exonerate himself from the challenges Nigeria’s democracy has faced over the years. He pointed out that Obasanjo’s remarks were nothing short of shocking to those who lived through his presidency from 1999 to 2007. During that time, Obasanjo wasn’t exactly a paragon of democratic ideals, and Dada was quick to remind everyone of that fact.

Obasanjo's Past Actions Under Scrutiny

Here’s the kicker: Dada accused Obasanjo of turning himself into a kingmaker and a demigod during his second term in office, specifically between 2003 and 2004. If you think about it, that’s a pretty bold claim. Dada claimed that anyone who dared to disagree with Obasanjo became a target, and that’s not all. He went on to say that Obasanjo worked with his then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to steal opposition states for the PDP. The job was allegedly carried out by Prof. Maurice Iwu, who was the INEC Chairman at the time.

And guess what? Atiku himself later admitted publicly that they spared only Lagos, which was governed by none other than Bola Tinubu. It’s like a political drama unfolding before our eyes, and it’s only getting more interesting.

Historical Context: Obasanjo's Track Record

But wait, there’s more. Dada reminded everyone that Obasanjo was the one who forced a sitting governor of Anambra State to sign a resignation letter at gunpoint. That’s right, folks, at gunpoint. The governor was then abducted, and if it weren’t for some quick thinking and a bit of fate, things could have turned out much worse. This is the same Obasanjo who changed Senate Presidents at will and introduced a level of cash inducement in the National Assembly that had never been seen before.

And let’s not forget the impeachment spree. From 2005 to 2006, Obasanjo masterminded the impeachment of governors from Bayelsa, Ekiti, Plateau, Oyo, and Anambra. Some of these kangaroo impeachments were eventually set aside by the courts due to lack of due process, but the damage was already done. It’s a dark chapter in Nigeria’s democratic history, and Dada wasn’t shy about bringing it up.

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Third Term Ambitions and Election Controversies

But the drama doesn’t end there. Obasanjo tried to extend his time in office through a deceitful constitutional amendment aimed at tenure elongation. When that failed, he attempted to install his handpicked successors by conducting what many consider to be the worst presidential election in Nigeria’s history. The beneficiary of that election later admitted publicly that it was fundamentally flawed. It’s like a political soap opera, and it’s playing out right before our eyes.

Comparing Tinubu's Actions to Obasanjo's Past

Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Obasanjo is criticizing Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending the governor and the assembly. But guess what? In May 2004, Obasanjo himself declared a state of emergency in Plateau State, suspended both Governor Joshua Dariye and the state assembly, and appointed Gen. Chris Ali (Rtd) as Sole Administrator. He did the same thing in Ekiti State. The irony is palpable, and Dada wasn’t afraid to point it out.

In Obasanjo’s case, his reason for suspending Dariye and the Plateau legislature was because Dariye failed to act to end a cycle of violence between the state’s Muslim and Christian communities. He didn’t even accuse the Plateau assembly of anything, yet he still suspended them. Fast forward to today, and Obasanjo is criticizing Tinubu for suspending Gov. Fubara and Rivers House of Assembly members who were directly responsible for creating the emergency in Rivers State. It’s a classic case of hypocrisy, and Dada made sure to call it out.

Conclusion: The Grandfather of Hypocrisy?

At the end of the day, Dada summed it up perfectly: “Obasanjo is simply the grandfather of hypocrisy in Nigeria at the moment.” It’s a bold statement, but when you look at the facts, it’s hard to argue with him. This political feud is far from over, and it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on as it unfolds. Only time will tell how it all plays out, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride.