The Presidency has lashed out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent suggestion that Nigeria should seek assistance from foreign governments to stabilise its worsening security situation, describing the comment as “ignoble, misleading and unbecoming of a former leader.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on X, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, said the Federal Government would not outsource Nigeria’s internal security, insisting that the country needs unity and constructive support—not public commentary that undermines national morale.
Dare accused Obasanjo of suffering “selective amnesia,” arguing that the extremist ideology and early organisational structure of Boko Haram took shape during the former president’s civil administration.
“It is a matter of historical fact that terrorism sprouted under his watch and grew because it was not stopped,” the Presidency said.
“For someone who looked away as extremists built structures, recruited followers and expanded networks, to now issue lectures is not statesmanship — it is capitulation.”
According to the statement, Nigeria is currently confronting “full-spectrum terrorism,” including ISIS-linked and al-Qaeda-aligned cells across the Sahel, transnational extremist networks, and local armed groups operating under the guise of banditry.
“These actors collaborate, share intelligence, weapons and ideology,” Dare said. “Downplaying the scale of the threat or disparaging Nigeria’s capacity hands terrorists psychological victory.”
Dare stressed that President Tinubu is pursuing a multi-layered security strategy combining military operations, intelligence-driven interventions, improved governance in neglected regions, and counter-radicalisation programmes.
“President Tinubu is confronting terrorism head-on, not with rhetoric, but with real action — from strengthening military operations to denying terrorists the human terrain they exploit,” he added.
While acknowledging the role of international partnerships, the Presidency said Nigeria would never surrender its security sovereignty.
“Nigeria needs support and collaboration, yes. But outsourcing national security is not an option. What is required is unity, not unnecessary posturing,” the statement said.
It urged past leaders to rally behind ongoing efforts rather than “recycling blame or rewriting history.”
“Those who failed to act in the past should not seek to distort history today,” the Presidency said. “Under President Tinubu, Nigeria will confront and defeat terrorism.
This administration will not be distracted by blame games from those who midwifed our early security failures.”
The Presidency called on Nigerians — especially former leaders — to refrain from comments capable of emboldening terrorists or weakening public confidence in the country’s security response.
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