President Bola Tinubu has berated former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a fake statesman for urging Nigerians to seek international help to combat terrorism.

He noted that terrorism grew during the administration of the ex-president.

Mr Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Sunday Dare, called Mr Obasanjo a “psuedo statesman,” adding that “Recent comments by a former President attempting to paint the Tinubu administration as unable to protect Nigerians are not merely hypocritical but ignoble.”

He added, “Terrorism took root on Mr Obasanjo’s watch and grew because it was not stopped. It is historical fact that the ideological foundations and early cells of Boko Haram were incubated during Obasanjo’s civilian presidency. While they recruited, indoctrinated, built camps, and flaunted authority, the state failed to act decisively.”

Mr Tinubu said a good statesman supports efforts to combat terrorism and not disparage the country, giving terrorists psychological support.

He stated, “When former leaders disparage the nation’s capacity, they hand psychological victories to the very terrorists murdering, kidnapping and extorting Nigerians – terrorising Nigerians in plain language. A real statesman offers support, not soundbites.”

Highlighting his administration’s efforts to combat terrorism, Mr Tinubu said, “If Obasanjo wishes to help, he should acknowledge the past  failures that allowed terrorists to gain a foothold, and then support ongoing efforts, not undermine them. Let him put his position and connections at Nigeria’s disposal like he has done for other countries. Not seek to put down an administration that is fully engaging in many fronts.”

On Saturday, Mr Obasanjo during a public programme in Jos, Plateau State, said Nigerians could seek help from other countries as the Tinubu administration was incapable of protecting them against terrorists. 

Mr Obasanjo said, “No matter the religion you belong to, where you come from and your profession, we, Nigerians, are being killed. And our government seems to be incapable of protecting us. We are part of the world’s community. If our government cannot do it, we have a right to call on international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us.”