- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian columnist, Sam Omatseye, has come under public scrutiny after penning a scathing criticism of late Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.
While prominent Nigerians have been penning their tributes to the late President who passed away on Sunday evening at a London hospital, Omatseye had published an article berating the eight years tenure of Buhari.
In the article titled Anticlimax and published on The Nation’s newspaper on Monday, the columnist had drawn striking comparisons between Buhari’s tenure as military head of state (1983-1985) and his tenure as civilian President which spanned from 2015 to 2023.
While lauding his tenure under the military regime, Omatseye faulted the eight years administration under civilian government.
According to him, Buhari became a president that ran it with a “cabal of antediluvian” ideas with his appointment of Abubakar Malami as Attorney General espousing his idea of an old route grazing.
He also recounted how Nigeria was plunged into severe economic crisis with bandits and Fulani herdsmen, allegedly backed by the late President, having filled day.
In further dig at his Fulani descent, the columnist claimed that the late former President did more for cows, cattle, and herders than he did for Nigerians.
Omatseye crowned his criticism of Buhari with his alleged attempt to ruin the image of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sabotage President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential ambition following the party’s rejection of former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who he selected as his successor.
The columnist’s criticism of Buhari had however sparked reactions from Nigerians as they reminded him of how he sang praises of the former President while he was alive.
Nigerians took to the X space as they dug out the columnist’s old tweets of his appraisals of Buhari’s administration.
Omatseye had in the tweet dated September 3rd, 2018, written that “No government till date has showed more enthusiasm and methodological approach to power as the Buhari administration. Yet a lot has to happen and it involves creating a meeting of minds.”
The revived tweet had gained traction in the wake of his criticisms as Nigerians slammed the columnist.
“For 8 years you celebrated him and stated how he was a success. Now that he’s dead you’re writing this drivel.”@Ilemona wrote
“Mr Sam Omatseye on Buhari in 2018, praising him. Sam Omatseye in 2025 lambasting Buhari after his demise. They all know the truth but they are always quiet when they are benefiting. Nigeria is just unlucky to have these men as citizens.”@UnlimitedEniola
“This ronu commentator is now describing Buhari as an evil, a man they called an Angel in 2015. Hypocrisy na bastard!”@lockerbian
“Sam Omatseye is that two-faced friend who sings your praise in your presence but backstabs you in your absence.”@_mrsmalaprop
“Sam Omatseye is the very portrait of a professional lickspittle. A man who once serenaded Buhari’s “methodical approach to power” like a town crier on retainer, now mouthing off about cabals and chaos as if amnesia were a badge of credibility. He praised Buhari’s enthusiasm when it was fashionable, dined at the table of propaganda with polished cutlery, and now, in the aftermath, plays the detached oracle diagnosing decay he helped deodorize. This is not analysis; it is opportunistic doublethink. A man who helped polish the boots of power cannot feign surprise when they step on the necks of the nation. He is not a commentator; he is a revisionist chorister trying to rewrite his stanza after the music has changed. If Buhari failed, Sam Omatseye should count himself among the ushers of that failure, not its late-stage critic.@Eze_Nwakaibeya
“I have never seen a deceitful lot before!
You defended Buhari and attacked those who called him out.
Now look at your hypocrisy! Tufiakwa!”@UchePOkoye
“They can never stay one place….always changing colors….chameleon dey learn….small time he will tell you that he is a senior veteran. When e no favor Yina, Yina go begin rant…. dat Sam Omatseye n @Waspapping_ Na di same Dem be, xcept dat they are on opposite divide. QED!”@kenkabulli
“That Sam omatseye message. I know the Voice of Jacob but hands of Esau when I see/ hear it.”@OgbeniBlackbear
“That Sam Omatseye article will trigger a lot of responses from northern political commentariat. I expect a number of rejoinders to be published in Daily Trust in the next few days. It may not be enough to influence much votes, but that article may be a disservice to BAT in core north. A full-blown literary battle (extending to media) may be impending.”@SirJarus
“This useless man sang Buhari’s praise throughout the 8 years he was president. He died now and suddenly, Buhari is a bad man. Sam “Hypocrite” Omatseye, how are you?”@Opeyemi Babalola.