Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the character of many individuals occupying public offices in Nigeria, suggesting that rather than leading the country, they should be behind bars or even face the gallows.
Obasanjo made these remarks at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a meeting with six members of the House of Representatives who are co-sponsors of various bills, including proposals for a single six-year term for elected officials and the rotation of the presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.
The delegation was led by Ugochinyere Ikenga, who represents the Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituencies of Imo State. The group discussed legislative efforts aimed at reforming Nigeria’s political structure, but Obasanjo emphasized that the core issue lies not just in the system but in the character of those in power.
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Obasanjo expressed his belief that character should be a fundamental criterion when electing leaders, a quality he claims is sorely lacking among many current public officials. He argued that without a change in the mentality and behavior of leaders, structural reforms such as altering term lengths or rotating offices will have little impact on the nation’s progress.
“Our main problem is ourselves, and until we take care of ourselves, it doesn’t matter if we have one term of four years, one term of six years, or one term of seven years. If it’s the same people with the same mentality and the same way of doing things, then it won’t change,” Obasanjo stated.
The former president called for a rethinking of Nigeria’s democracy and its system of government, but he stressed that the character of those in power is the most critical factor. He questioned whether those currently leading are truly role models and whether they possess the necessary attributes to guide the nation effectively.
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“With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars; some should even be in the gallows, and that is the truth,” Obasanjo declared. “Now if these are the people that are ruling us, then what do you expect? It doesn’t matter how you structure it; it will not change unless we focus on the character of the people in government.”
Obasanjo’s remarks are likely to resonate widely, given his status as a former head of state and his continued influence in Nigerian politics. His comments underscore the ongoing debate about the quality of leadership in the country and the urgent need for reforms that go beyond mere structural changes to address the integrity and character of those in positions of power.