The Presidency has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for downplaying President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure projects, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This criticism follows the release of Obasanjo’s memoir, Nigeria: Past and Future, where he is accused of ignoring key developments in the country.
Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, made the remarks in a post on his verified X account (@DOlusegun) on Thursday. He accused Obasanjo of trying to rewrite history while ignoring his own shortcomings during his time in office.
Olusegun stated that Obasanjo’s memoir would “further relegate his integrity as the leader who opened Nigeria to the cankerworms of corruption.” He pointed out that while former leaders often publish books to glorify their presidencies despite their flaws, Obasanjo’s latest claims could damage his reputation further.
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The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is seen as a significant project that can transform Nigeria’s economy. Olusegun highlighted that by minimizing the importance of this road project, Obasanjo has overlooked the many failures of his administration to address the nation’s needs when he had the chance. He emphasized that future generations will hold Obasanjo accountable for these missed opportunities, especially when the highway becomes a reality.
Olusegun lamented that despite spending eight years in government, Obasanjo failed to meet the infrastructure needs of the country. He contrasted this with the progress made by President Tinubu’s administration, which has prioritized essential projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He noted that President Tinubu is not deterred by distractions and is committed to development.
Additionally, Olusegun pointed out several infrastructure projects that Obasanjo neglected during his presidency. For instance, he mentioned the lag in the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which remained under 30% during Obasanjo’s tenure, and the corruption issues that weakened Nigeria’s power sector.
In conclusion, Olusegun urged Obasanjo to reflect on his presidency and acknowledge the importance of projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that are designed to uplift Nigeria’s economy. According to Olusegun, these developments are critical for the country’s future, and past leaders should recognize this rather than undermine current initiatives.
