The National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Kole Omololu, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu‘s brief tenure in office already signals a trajectory of recovery and development, potentially outshining the achievements of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In a statement, Omololu highlighted the emerging economic reforms under Tinubu’s leadership, rebutting Obasanjo’s recent characterization of Nigeria as a failing state.
Obasanjo’s remarks were delivered during a recorded keynote address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria” at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University. The former president criticized Tinubu’s administration, citing pervasive corruption, incompetence, and mismanagement as indicators of Nigeria’s decline.
Omololu, however, dismissed these claims, describing them as misinformed and reflective of Obasanjo’s penchant for attention-seeking. Citing former President Shehu Shagari’s memoir, Beckoned to Serve, Omololu labeled Obasanjo a “narcissist” who thrives on criticism to remain in the limelight.
Tinubu’s Economic Achievements
Omololu pointed to specific milestones under Tinubu’s leadership as evidence of progress. He noted that the administration had significantly reduced Nigeria’s debt service ratio from 97% to 65% of income within 17 months—a feat that demonstrates fiscal discipline.
Additionally, Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of N14.07 trillion by mid-2024, the highest in its history. Omololu emphasized that the administration’s non-oil revenue for a single quarter surpassed the total generated during Obasanjo’s entire eight-year tenure.
“On March 28, 2024, the Nigerian Stock Exchange achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing an All Shares Index of 104,562.06—a 39.84% year-to-date increase, making it the second-best performing exchange in Africa,” Omololu said, questioning Obasanjo’s allegations of economic mismanagement.
Anti-Corruption Efforts
Omololu also defended Tinubu’s anti-corruption record, citing improved rankings in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Nigeria moved up five places, from 150th in 2023 to 145th in 2024. This contrasts starkly with Nigeria’s ranking as the second-most corrupt nation under Obasanjo in 2002.
“Transparency International says Nigeria is less corrupt today than during Obasanjo’s administration,” Omololu remarked, further criticizing Obasanjo’s inability to manage his own administration, particularly his strained relationship with his deputy, Atiku Abubakar.
A Contrast in Leadership Styles
Omololu argued that Tinubu’s leadership style—marked by efficient governance and cohesive party management—stands in sharp contrast to Obasanjo’s record. Referring to the public fallout between Obasanjo and Atiku, he questioned the former president’s moral authority to critique Tinubu.
“If you could not manage your Presidency, what moral authority do you have to call the man who has managed his government and party with almost military efficiency a mediocre?” he asked.
