The All Progressives Congress has rejected former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the current administration’s handling of its ongoing reforms and policies including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
Obasanjo had expressed disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of these policies, which have led to rising food prices and inflation, causing hardship for the masses.
However, the APC disagrees with Obasanjo’s assessment, stating that the policies were necessary, despite their challenging effects according to the Punch.
The party’s came on the premise of Obasanjo’s criticism on Sunday, in which he argued that while the policies were necessary, their implementation was flawed.
The APC has defended the government’s actions, emphasizing the need for tough decisions to drive economic growth and development.
The exchange highlights the ongoing debate about the government’s economic policies and their impact on the nation, with the APC and Obasanjo presenting differing views on the best approach to address the country’s economic challenges.
The ex-President, according to the statement, spoke in Abuja at the weekend at a colloquium tagged: “Nigeria’s Development: Navigating the Way Out of the Current Economic Crisis and Insecurity.”
“Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverisation of the economy and of Nigerians. These are the removal of subsidy, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange and the third is dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic,” Obasanjo said.
It was the first time he would be openly criticising Tinubu, whom he did not support to become President.
But reacting on Monday, the APC National Director, Bala Ibrahim, faulted Obasanjo, whom he described as a serial critic.
Ibrahim said that he feared the former President might be manifesting signs of old age.
He said, “As a Nigerian and someone who respects Obasanjo, I think senility is beginning to come in. Obasanjo is beginning to manifest the symptoms.
“Ever since he lost the bid to have a third term in office, he has consistently attacked every regime that comes after him. He sees himself as the only one who meant well for Nigeria from independence to date. He thinks he is the best and every other leader is bad. And this is not good for a statesman. Nobody has monopoly on knowledge or style of leadership.
“Obasanjo has been consistent in his criticisms of people in leadership positions apart from himself. So, this is not an isolated case. President Bola Tinubu is not the first to be attacked by Obasanjo. Buhari and Jonathan were also victims of his criticisms. He himself did not fare better when he was the leader. In fact, Obasanjo superintended the balkanisation of the Nigerian economy.
“How can he say someone who is trying to put the economy on a better pedestal is not doing the right thing? I am not a spokesman for Tinubu. Even though the party has discussed him to my knowledge, I practically feel Obasanjo has erred as he has always been doing.”
