Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of reckless spending during two terms as Nigerian president.
Mr Obasanjo made the accusation during an interview published by the Cable Newspaper on Monday.
The octogenarian said that although he was aware that Mr Buhari didn’t understand economics, he never thought he would be a reckless spender.
“Tinubu said the other day that it was unacceptable that he would spend 90% of revenue to service debts. I wasn’t spending 90% when I went worldwide to get debt relief.
“Do you think that anybody would give you debt relief today? Buhari was spending money recklessly. I know Buhari didn’t understand economics.
“I put that in my book. But that he could also be so reckless, I didn’t know. Who would you go to today and ask for a favour?,” he queried.
Mr Obansanjo also denied the allegations that he deliberately anointed a medically unfit candidate, late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, as his successor in 2007.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Yaradua, who was elected president in 2007, died on May 5, 2010 after a protracted illness.
Mr Obasanjo said the late president was certified fit by medical experts prior to his endorsement as the anointed candidate.
According to him, contrary to insinuations, the former Katsina State governor was recommended to him by a committee he set up to choose his successors.
He said: “I set up a committee headed by Dr Olusegun Agagu, of blessed memory, to search for a successor. They considered many names and did an extensive assessment of all of them.
“They made their recommendation. Umaru was top on the list. Their biggest argument in his favour was that he had integrity and would not steal. The issues concerning his health were raised, and I gave his medical reports to an expert for an opinion.
“Umaru’s name was redacted so that the expert would not know who it was and why I was seeking his opinion.
“After assessing the reports, he said the patient appeared to have done a kidney transplant, and if that was the case, there was nothing to worry about and he would be as healthy as any other person.
“That was it. All insinuations that I knew he was going to die and that was why I supported him to be president were false. This is the true story I have told you.”
