Nigeria’s Former President Obasanjo Slams Leaders, Calls for Reform
In a scathing critique, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted the country’s leaders, stating that those in power should be behind bars. The comments came during a meeting with members of the House of Representatives and co-sponsors of a bill seeking a single six-year term and rotation between the North.
Speaking at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo emphasized that the character of those in government must change. "With all due respect, most of those in government should right now be behind bars or in gallows," he said.
Obasanjo’s remarks were part of his broader criticism of the country’s political system. He argued that succeeding governments had failed to build on the foundation he laid during his time in office. "The issue for me is that we must decarbonise our brains and mentality," he said. "We must rethink our democracy."
The former President also expressed skepticism about the proposed single six-year term, stating that it would not address the country’s problems if the same mentality and way of doing things persisted. "Our main problem is ourselves, and until we take care of ourselves, nothing will change," Obasanjo said.
The comments come as Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including economic hardship and political instability. The country is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and is grappling with issues such as corruption and insecurity.
Obasanjo’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians calling for reforms to address the country’s problems. However, others have criticized the former President’s comments, arguing that they are overly critical and lack concrete solutions.
As Nigeria looks to the future, the debate over the country’s political system and the character of its leaders is likely to continue.