Laolu Akande, a former aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has called on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to avoid making derogatory remarks about current and former Nigerian leaders.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, Akande criticized Obasanjo’s recent comments in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “baba go-slow.” He argued that such statements are unproductive and fail to contribute meaningfully to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“Elder statesmen like General Obasanjo should rise above making jests about other presidents. Their focus should be on offering constructive guidance,” Akande stated during the program.
Obasanjo’s remarks came on the heels of his critique of the 2023 general elections, which he described as a “travesty” during a lecture at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University. He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of compromising the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
While acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership challenges, Akande highlighted systemic issues as the root cause. “The political leadership crises Nigeria faces are symptoms of a deeper systemic problem that continues to produce these challenges,” he said.
Akande’s comments come at a time when the Tinubu administration is under growing pressure due to economic and political concerns. His appeal underscores the importance of fostering constructive dialogue among Nigeria’s political elite to address the nation’s issues.