Ajisafe Tackles Ojudu Over Tinubu Criticism

…. Questions His Record Under Buhari

By Olumide Bajulaiye

Lawyer and journalist, Oloroogun Sola Ajisafe, has criticised former presidential aide and senator, Babafemi Ojudu, over his open letter to President Bola Tinubu on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, questioning his record during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ajisafe, in an open reply titled “An Open Reply to Senator Babafemi Ojudu,” accused the former senator of inconsistency, arguing that his criticism of the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy overlooked his own experience in government.

Ojudu had written an open letter to Tinubu, expressing concerns about the state of the nation and the challenges confronting Nigerians.

However, Ajisafe argued that Ojudu’s eight years in the Buhari administration as a presidential aide weakened his moral authority to criticise the current government without accounting for the policies implemented during his time in office.

He particularly questioned Ojudu’s position on economic hardship, citing borrowing, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Ways and Means financing and the naira redesign policy introduced under Buhari.

“Silence in power and sermons in opposition is not courage. It is calculation,” Ajisafe wrote, challenging Ojudu to explain what actions he took or what positions he expressed against the policies he now criticises.

On the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, Ajisafe acknowledged the reality of rising prices and hardship but argued that the problems predated Tinubu’s assumption of office in May 2023.

He defended the Tinubu administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, describing them as efforts to address longstanding structural problems in the economy.

According to him, the President inherited an economy burdened by unsustainable debt and distortions in the foreign exchange market, making difficult policy decisions necessary.

Ajisafe also questioned Ojudu’s criticism of presidential advisers, arguing that his previous positions in government placed a responsibility on him to raise concerns about governance while he still had access to the corridors of power.

He maintained that public accountability should extend to former government officials and that criticism of the current administration should be accompanied by an honest assessment of their own records.

The journalist further accused Ojudu of political inconsistency in his dealings within Ekiti State politics, alleging that his political choices following the emergence of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as the preferred candidate for the Ekiti Central senatorial seat were influenced by his ambition for political appointments.

Ajisafe also challenged Ojudu’s posture as an outsider critic of the government, referring to his allegation that Ojudu’s daughter works within the federal system.

He argued that benefiting from the state while criticising its leadership should not shield public figures from questions about consistency in their political positions.

On the 2027 general election, Ajisafe endorsed the call for free and fair elections but cautioned against agitation for a premature return of the presidency to the North after eight years of northern leadership under Buhari.

He argued that political rotation and respect for existing understandings among Nigeria’s political stakeholders were important to maintaining national cohesion.

Ajisafe stressed that Nigeria needed constructive criticism but insisted that those who had previously occupied positions of authority should acknowledge their roles in the country’s challenges.

He urged Ojudu to focus on offering practical solutions rather than what he described as belated criticism of policies and decisions made by successive administrations.

“The President’s job is not to be popular. It is to be right,” Ajisafe wrote, defending the Tinubu administration’s reforms as difficult decisions intended to address longstanding economic challenges.

He added that the administration should ultimately be judged by its results, urging Nigerians to assess its performance ahead of the 2027 general election.

NOTE: The views and allegations expressed in the open reply are those of Ajisafe.