- Claims presidential pardon for convicted governors was part of a wider scheme
In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused the Buhari administration of protecting corrupt officials while undermining anti-graft agencies. He pointed to the controversial pardon of former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both convicted of embezzling public funds, as an example of state-backed impunity.
Obasanjo also took aim at former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, alleging that he mismanaged N85 billion earmarked for the now-defunct Nigeria Air project. He described Sirika’s handling of the initiative as “barefaced stealing” condoned by the presidency.
The former president warned that President Tinubu’s administration could surpass Buhari’s in corruption if current trends continue, alleging that governance has become transactional, with public resources serving private interests.
While the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently prosecuting Sirika, the broader implications of Obasanjo’s claims continue to fuel national debate on corruption and accountability in Nigeria.
