Emmanuel Oludare
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that many leaders in Nigeria and other African countries deserve to be either jailed or face execution for their actions while in office.
Obasanjo made this assertion during a meeting with six lawmakers from the House of Representatives at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday.
The lawmakers, led by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga of the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State, had visited the former president to discuss several issues, including bills advocating a single six-year term for the presidency and regional rotation of the presidency in Nigeria.
Speaking on the state of governance in Africa, Obasanjo expressed deep concern about the caliber of people in power, noting that the fundamental issue lies in the character and mentality of those governing.
He emphasized that without a shift in attitude and approach, systemic changes alone would not bring about the desired transformation in governance.
“Our main problem is ourselves. Whether we adopt a single six-year term or two four-year terms, if we persist with the same mentality and approach, nothing will change,” Obasanjo remarked.
He continued, “The real issue is ourselves. Yes, the system needs rethinking, but the character of people in government must change. With all due respect, many in government should currently be behind bars or on the gallows.”
Obasanjo also reflected on the broader political landscape in Africa, stressing the need for a reevaluation of liberal democracy to ensure more inclusive governance.
He pointed out that the concept of “loyal opposition” in Africa often results in a consensus that stifles genuine opposition, leading to a situation where those in power dominate and marginalize others.
“In Africa, we often speak of a loyal opposition, but what actually happens is that a consensus is reached, leaving no room for genuine opposition; everyone aligns and moves together,” he said.
“In many African languages, the term for opposition translates to ‘enemies.’ What do you do with loyal enemies? Once you assume power, you claim everything, leaving the opposition in obscurity. This approach is counterproductive. We need to unite to advance society.”
During the meeting, Obasanjo also addressed the longstanding political marginalization of the Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State, which has yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation 48 years ago.
He lamented that unless the Ogun East and Central regions concede ground, Ogun West may never have a representative in the governor’s office.
Obasanjo recalled his efforts in 2011 to ensure that General Tunji Olurin, a former ECOMOG Commander from Ogun West, became governor on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, Olurin lost the election to Senator Ibikunle Amosun from Ogun Central. Obasanjo stressed the importance of good governance and advocated for a rotational approach to political leadership to ensure fair representation across all regions.
“I have said it and I will keep saying it, we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder, all of us. If we continue to do what we are doing, which is disregarding the common man, disregarding the interest of the common man, we will be in trouble,” Obasanjo warned.
“By population, unless the Central and East yield ground to the West, they will never make it. But for me, what is important is good governance.”
He further argued that the problem in Nigeria is not necessarily the tenure of the president or governors, but rather the attitude of leaders and citizens toward governance.
Without a change in mindset, Obasanjo cautioned that quality governance would remain elusive, and Nigeria’s progress would be hindered.
“The ex-President also declared that the problem of Nigeria is not in the tenure of a President or the Governors but in the attitude of leaders and the rest of the citizens to governance,” Obasanjo said.
“The country cannot make any progress if there are no perceptible positive changes in the way of governance.”
He emphasized the need for self-appraisal among Nigerians and urged the public to elect leaders with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.
Obasanjo noted that Nigeria could only move forward when people with upright characters and good role models are placed in positions of power.
Ikenga, in his remarks, praised Obasanjo for his visionary leadership during his time as president and for the reforms he initiated, which laid a foundation for Nigeria’s development.
He criticized subsequent administrations for failing to build on those reforms, leading to the economic challenges the country faces today.
“If there have been consolidation on electricity reforms, foreign policies, civil service reforms, and digital reforms among others by successive governments, today, we will not be in the economic challenge that is fighting us,” Ikenga stated.
The lawmakers also informed Obasanjo that they were co-sponsors of bills seeking a single six-year term for the president and governors, power rotation between the northern and southern regions of the country, and a unified election day for all positions to minimize the bandwagon effect in elections.
Other lawmakers present at the meeting included Honourables Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi, Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, and Peter Aniekwe from Anambra.
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