Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sparked controversy with his recent remarks on corruption among Nigeria’s current political leaders, drawing sharp rebukes from both a key House of Representatives member and a traditional ruler in Oyo State.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The backlash follows Obasanjo’s Friday statement, in which he condemned the moral failings of today’s leaders, suggesting many should be imprisoned.
According to PUNCH, responding to Obasanjo’s comments, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, issued a pointed criticism on Sunday, challenging the former president to stop projecting himself as morally superior.
“Obasanjo needs to stop parading himself as a saint. If he truly believes in accountability, he should include himself among those he claims should be behind bars,” Oba Alao remarked.
The monarch, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, accused Obasanjo of failing to address critical issues during his presidency from 1999 to 2007. He specifically pointed out the billions of dollars spent on Nigeria’s electricity sector under Obasanjo’s watch, which yielded little to no improvement.
Excluding himself from the so-called corrupt leaders is hypocritical. He cannot wash his hands clean of the failures that have plagued this country,” Oba Alao said, adding that Obasanjo should “surrender himself” to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission if he is serious about combating corruption.
The former president’s comments also drew a strong response from Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Agbese refuted Obasanjo’s allegations that members of the National Assembly fix their own salaries and are bribed by the executive branch.
“The claims made by Obasanjo are false and misleading. The current House of Representatives is committed to transparency and accountability, unlike during his era,” Agbese asserted.
Agbese emphasized that the current legislature operates under a different ethos compared to the one during Obasanjo’s presidency.
He highlighted the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who he said is focused on serving the interests of the Nigerian people rather than personal or narrow agendas. “The era of narrow interest is over. We are here for our people and their collective interests,” Agbese declared.
Furthermore, Agbese rejected any suggestion that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is similar to past governments. He noted that President Tinubu has fostered a collaborative and respectful relationship with the National Assembly, driven by shared goals rather than coercion or financial incentives.
“We know what Tinubu wants for Nigeria, and supporting the President to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda is the best for the country,” Agbese added.
The lawmaker also took aim at Obasanjo’s past attempts to influence the National Assembly, particularly his unsuccessful bid to amend the constitution for a third term in office. “Obasanjo tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to bribe members of the National Assembly during his time.
That is not the case with this parliament,” Agbese said, maintaining the difference between the current legislature and that of Obasanjo’s era.
