Boko Haram Began Under Your Watch,’ Tinubu’s Aide Replies Obasanjo

Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, has tackled former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other critics of the administration, accusing them of attempting to undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the country.

Dare, in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday and titled “Between Tinubu’s Capability and the Ignobility of Pseudo Statesmanship, faulted recent comments by Obasanjo and what he described as “habitual presidential aspirants” portraying the Tinubu administration as incapable of protecting Nigerians.

Obasanjo, speaking at an event in Jos, Plateau State on Friday, had expressed frustration over rising insecurity and argued that Nigerians had the right to seek international help if government failed to protect them.

“No matter your religion… we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community,” Obasanjo said.

But responding, Dare described the statement as “hypocritical and ignoble,” saying it ignored historical realities.

He argued that Boko Haram’s ideological roots and early organisational structures took shape during Obasanjo’s civilian administration.

“It is historical fact that the ideological foundations and early cells of Boko Haram were incubated during Obasanjo’s presidency. While they recruited, indoctrinated, built camps and flaunted authority, the state failed to act decisively,” Dare said.

“For the leader under whom the first seeds of terrorism were allowed to germinate to now issue public lectures is not just ironic; it is reckless.”

The presidential aide said suggestions that Nigeria should “subcontract its internal security to foreign governments” amounted to capitulation rather than statesmanship.

He insisted that President Tinubu is confronting a complex network of terror groups through military force, intelligence-driven operations, stabilisation programmes and counter-radicalisation initiatives.

“Undermining the government’s capacity hands psychological victories to the terrorists murdering, kidnapping and extorting Nigerians,” he stated.

Dare urged former leaders to support ongoing security efforts rather than demoralise the public.

“If Obasanjo wishes to help, he should acknowledge past failures that allowed terrorists to gain a foothold and then support ongoing efforts—not undermine them,” he added.

He stressed that Tinubu remained committed to securing all parts of the country.

“This administration will not be distracted by selective amnesia wrapped in elder-statesmanship, nor will it allow those who midwifed Nigeria’s early security failures to rewrite history,” Dare warned.