In recent developments, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his Sallah visit to First Lady Remi Tinubu, labeling him as ‘Baba Gbajue’. This term, according to Sowore, was popularized by Professor Wole Soyinka and serves as a Yoruba metaphor for fraudulent individuals.
The controversy stems from Obasanjo’s visit to Senator Oluremi Tinubu to celebrate Sallah, just three weeks after Obasanjo publicly criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu for its handling of fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s visit, Sowore took to his official X account to mockingly refer to Obasanjo as ‘Baba Gbajue’, implying that Obasanjo is deceitful in his political actions. He tweeted, “Baba Gbajue visits his real clients! People Deceiving People since 1960!”
This isn’t the first time Sowore has clashed with Obasanjo. During the 2023 election campaign, Sowore openly rejected any endorsement from Obasanjo, citing what he described as the former president’s record of “barbarism” during his tenure. Sowore pointed to incidents like the massacres in Odi and Zaki Biam, criticizing Obasanjo’s legacy as one of violence rather than progress.
In previous statements, Sowore has been vocal in his criticism of Obasanjo’s leadership, referring to him as a figure who has “ruined Nigeria twice”. This animosity underscores Sowore’s stance against what he perceives as the failures and injustices of Obasanjo’s governance.
The use of ‘Baba Gbajue’ by Sowore aligns with Wole Soyinka’s earlier characterization of political deceit and fraud, extending its application to critique Obasanjo’s actions and political maneuvers.