Former Nigerian president under intense fire for calling Nigeria a 'failed state'

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South, has sharply criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for describing Nigeria as a "failed state."

Ibrahim asserted that such remarks are counterproductive and fail to acknowledge the progress under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Top Nigerian Senator Fires Major Shot at Obasanjo Over 'Nigeria Is a Failed State' Comment
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The Nigerian senator said this while speaking on Channels Television's Politics on Wednewday, November 20.

“I have a lot of respect for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but the language of war in peacetime is a disaster.“Nigeria is working under this government. If Nigeria is a failed state, then what do we say about Ghana?" he said.

Obasanjo made the controversial statement during his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, USA.

The former president of Nigeria described Nigeria as being in a state of “state capture” and called for credible leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore electoral integrity.

In response, Ibrahim listed reforms under Tinubu's administration, including subsidy removal and economic independence, as evidence of progress.

“IMF is going to like Tinubu for some of the reforms that he is pioneering. This government is not running policies dictated by America or China,” he noted.

Jimoh questions Obasanjo for ignoring Nigeria's security state

The senator questioned Obasanjo’s silence on the improvements in national security under Tinubu.

“Why is Obasanjo not talking about Boko Haram or the improved security situation? Is the dollar-to-naira ratio now the only measure of government performance?” he asked.

Ibrahim urged Obasanjo to adopt a more constructive tone, emphasizing the need for unity.

“When you use the language of war in peacetime, you are doing a disservice to the nation,” he concluded.

Source: Legit.ng