‘Approach Govt. Privately, You Divide the Country with Public Criticism’, Omokri Urges Obasanjo
Mr. Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan has advised Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to refrain from criticising the government in the public, stating that it is better for him to approach the leader privately.
Omokri stated that Mr. Obasanjo criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the public can create tension amongst the citizens, thereby causing chaos in the country.
This comes following the former president’s recent remarks on Nigeria’s governance at Yale University.
Reacting to the comments in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday night, the former presidential spokesperson condemned Chief Obasanjo’s approach, stressing that he could have also penned his thoughts.
He wrote: “As a former leader, when you have counsel or a critique of the incumbent, perhaps the statesmanlike thing to do would be to approach them privately and air your opinion. If you do not want to see them, another option is to write to them.
“However, when you ignore these opportunities and processes and immediately go public, you create tension, divide the country and arm those internal and external enemies who will never see good in Nigeria.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is, in my opinion, one of the most outstanding living Nigerians, and just as I said to then-President Jonathan, I believe it is not helpful for any government to fight him fire for fire, particularly as he fought for Nigeria’s unity and was the officer, who as Colonel Obasanjo, defeated the rebel Republic of Biafra, captured their leaders, except Colonel Ojukwu, and brought them to Dodan Barracks to surrender to General Yakubu Gowon on Thursday, January 15, 1970.”
According to him, the presidency, rather than hitting back at Mr. Obasanjo should have reminded him that as an incumbent President, he called a press conference on Monday, December 3, 2001, where he insulted and poured invective on Professor Sam Aluko for having the audacity to publicly criticise him after having a private conversation with him.
Omokri stated: “Then President Obasanjo did that himself. He did not wait for his spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe or go through his other aides. He personally bombed Professor Aluko and called him some colourful names. It should be pointed out to Chief Obasanjo that he may want to watch that December 3, 2001 press conference video and juxtapose it with his current conduct in November 2024.
“Additionally, when General Ibrahim Babangida publicly criticised Chief Obasanjo during his usual birthday interviews, former President Obasanjo called a press conference on Friday, August 19, 2011, and insulted General Babangida, describing him as a “fool at seventy”.
“Now, the question is this. If President Olusegun Obasanjo does not like to be publicly criticised while he was a sitting President and as a former leader, why does he do it to others?”
He explained that former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari often have a lot to say, however, they do it in private as elder statesmen.
He further advised: “As a brilliant military strategist and tactician, I suspect Chief Obasanjo may be aware of the leadership strategy taught at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It says that national leaders should “Praise in public, criticise in private” for effectiveness, efficiency, and cohesion in their nations. Otherwise, they are playing into the hands of their nation’s enemies.”
