Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo to avoid comments that could hamper Nigeria’s growth.
The Senator emphasised that the country is making progress under President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Ibrahim addressed Obasanjo’s recent keynote speech at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University.
In that address, Obasanjo criticized the country’s leadership, referring to Nigeria as being in a state of “state capture” and called for stronger, credible leadership, particularly within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While acknowledging Obasanjo’s stature, Ibrahim said, “I respect former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but using language suited to wartime in peacetime is problematic.”
He argued that developing countries often face structural issues and described them as inherently “failed states” in international relations.
Ibrahim questioned Obasanjo’s grasp of the current administration’s reforms, stating, “Is Obasanjo’s interest greater than mine? I employ over 4,000 Nigerians.
“If Nigeria is indeed a failed state, how should we view Ghana?” He went on to highlight Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges through various reforms, asserting that these changes are steering the country in a positive direction.
“Under this administration, Nigeria is moving forward. When engaging with international politics, authority and influence are critical,” Ibrahim stated, adding, “The IMF, where I’ve been for over nine years, supports Tinubu’s reforms.
The United States is not guiding these policies; they are focused on Nigerian priorities.”
Ibrahim expressed disagreement with Obasanjo’s characterization of Nigeria as a failed state and urged a shift from combative language, which he feels is unhelpful from a senior statesman.
“Obasanjo should address improvements, like progress against Boko Haram and overall security under Tinubu’s leadership. The dollar-to-naira ratio alone shouldn’t define governmental success,” he argued.
In conclusion, Ibrahim encouraged Obasanjo to take a more positive approach, remarking, “Using wartime language during peace only harms the nation.”