Presidency Hits Back at Obasanjo, Says Nigeria Won’t Outsource Its Security

The Presidency has strongly criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his recent suggestion that Nigeria should invite foreign governments to help stabilise its security challenges. According to the Presidency, the comment is “misleading, disappointing, and unbecoming of a former leader who failed to act when terrorism first began to grow.”

The reaction came through a statement posted on X by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to President Bola Tinubu. Dare said President Tinubu has no intention of outsourcing Nigeria’s internal security to any foreign country, adding that the nation is dealing with “full-spectrum terrorism” and needs unity not public lectures.

He accused Obasanjo of conveniently ignoring history, noting that Boko Haram’s early foundations were laid during his administration, when extremist camps were able to organise and recruit without being decisively confronted.

“Terrorism sprouted under his watch and was allowed to grow,” the statement read. “For someone who looked away as extremists built their networks to now issue lectures is not statesmanship it is surrender.”

The Presidency warned that Nigeria is up against a complicated mix of threats, including ISIS-linked and al-Qaeda-aligned groups across the Sahel, cross-border extremists, and violent local groups operating as bandits. These groups, it said, often cooperate and share resources, all with the aim of weakening the country.

Dare added that downplaying the seriousness of the threat or suggesting that Nigeria cannot defend itself only serves to embolden terrorists.

According to the statement, President Tinubu is deploying a comprehensive strategy that includes improved military operations, better intelligence gathering, rebuilding local governance in neglected areas, and strengthening counter-radicalisation efforts.

“President Tinubu is taking real action not rhetoric to close ungoverned spaces and deny terrorists the foothold they rely on,” Dare said.

While acknowledging that international cooperation is important, the Presidency maintained that Nigeria will never surrender control of its own security.

“Nigeria needs partnership, yes but not dependency. Outsourcing national security is not an option,” the statement said.

The Presidency urged former leaders to support ongoing efforts instead of making comments that could harm public morale.

“Those who failed to act in the past should not rewrite history today,” it added. “Under President Tinubu, Nigeria will confront and defeat terrorism.”

The statement ended by calling on all Nigerians  including past leaders  to stand behind the current security strategy rather than giving terrorists a psychological win through careless public remarks.