Rivers emergency rule: ‘Grandfather of hypocrisy’ – Presidency slams Obasanjo for criticising Tinubu

The Presidency has reacted to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, over his subtle criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, describing him as the “grandfather of hypocrisy.”

Obasanjo, while speaking at the Ihedioha Colloquium, condemned Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, arguing that “democracy is not about power grabbing illegally and telling victims to go to court.”

He further claimed that democracy in Nigeria is deteriorating.

However, in a statement posted by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Segun Dada, via his personal X handle, the presidency dismissed Obasanjo’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to rewrite history and exonerate himself from blame for Nigeria’s democratic struggles.

Olusegun argued that Obasanjo’s own record in office contradicts the principles he now claims to uphold.

He wrote, “It is shocking to many who were adults during the Obasanjo 1999-2007 era to hear OBJ preaching that democracy is not about power grabbing illegally and telling victims to go to court. He even said democracy is dying in Nigeria.

“This is the same OBJ that turned himself into a kingmaker and a demigod in his second term in office between 2003-2004. Anybody who disagreed with him became prey.”

Tinubu’s aide also pointed out that Obasanjo himself declared a state of emergency in Plateau State in 2004, suspending Governor Joshua Dariye and the state legislature, adding that “this is the same OBJ that turned himself into a kingmaker and a demigod in his second term in office between 2003-2004. Anybody who disagreed with him became prey.”

“OBJ, who is criticizing President Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending the governor and the assembly, has forgotten that in May 2004, he declared a state of emergency in Plateau State and suspended both Gov. Joshua Dariye and the state assembly, appointing Gen. Chris Ali (Rtd) as sole administrator. He also did the same thing in Ekiti State.”

According to him, Obasanjo’s justification for his actions at the time was even weaker than the current situation in Rivers, where, according to him, those directly responsible for the crisis are being held accountable.

The Presidency insisted that Obasanjo lacks the moral authority to lecture on democracy, given his track record.

He wrote, “In Obasanjo’s case, his reason for suspending Dariye and the Plateau legislature was because Gov. Dariye failed to act to end a cycle of violence between Plateau State’s Muslim and Christian communities.

“He didn’t accuse the Plateau assembly of anything, yet he suspended them. Ironically, OBJ is criticizing Tinubu for suspending Gov. Fubara and Rivers House of Assembly members, who are the direct actors that created the emergency in Rivers State.

“Obasanjo is simply the grandfather of hypocrisy in Nigeria at the moment.”