Former Nigerian President Calls for Government to Listen to Youth Demands

In a statement made on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to listen to the demands and concerns of the youth, which have sparked nationwide protests. Obasanjo emphasized that the youth’s demands are legitimate and warned that there could be dire consequences if they are not met promptly.

The former Nigerian leader made the call while hosting six members of the National Assembly, who are co-sponsors of a bill seeking a single six-year term for presidency and rotation between the North and the South. Obasanjo urged the government to treat the youth’s concerns with seriousness and not dismiss them with levity.

In his address, Obasanjo lamented the plight of Nigerian youth, stating that they are frustrated, desperate, angry, and unemployed. He asked what the government expects when it fails to listen to their demands and instead allows them to languish in poverty. "You are what you are today because you’re a Nigerian; I’m what I am also because I’m a Nigerian. So why should they be Nigerians and be languishing in poverty?" Obasanjo questioned.

Obasanjo stressed that for Nigeria to reach its highest potential, all hands must be on deck, and a change in mentality is necessary. He emphasized that the issue is not about whether the country should adopt a single six-year term or maintain the status quo but rather about the mentality of those in governance.

"If the mentality of the people in governance does not change, then Nigeria will remain where it is," Obasanjo warned. His statement has sparked widespread attention and debate, with many calling for the government to take immediate action to address the youth’s concerns and demands.