The Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated that many individuals currently in public office in Nigeria should be locked up in prison.
According to him, leaders do not possess the necessary qualities to effectively lead the nation, suggesting they would be better suited for incarceration or worse.
reports that Obasanjo made these remarks at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a meeting with six members of the House of Representatives who are co-sponsoring legislation aimed at establishing a single six-year term, as well as advocating for the rotation of the presidency between the northern and southern regions, and the rotation of governorship positions among the three senatorial districts in each of the 36 states.
Obasanjo noted that the proposed six-year single-term presidency is not a viable solution to the challenges bedevilling the country.
The former president stressed the need for the country to rethink its democracy.
Obasanjo emphasized that the West African nation is precariously positioned, likening it to a powder keg that could erupt if leaders do not take bold and decisive actions to tackle the numerous challenges at hand.
The former President asserted that the demands raised by the #EndBadGovernance protesters are entirely valid, urging the government to address these issues rather than merely masking them.
He pointed out that it is inappropriate for those in power to continue enjoying lavish lifestyles while urging the struggling populace to persevere.
Obasanjo expressed disappointment over the inability of successive administrations to build upon the groundwork he established, highlighting that this has led to considerable setbacks for the country.
His words read: “More than anything else, such as changing our system of government or moving to a single term of six or four years, we must change our ways of doing things in this country, we must decarbonise our brains, we must change our mentality and character.
“How I wish that the succeeding governments had built on the foundation we laid, even if not as fast as one would have wanted it. Sadly, the blocks we put there are even being removed.
“What I know about Nigeria is that, yes, if we get it right—the leadership, the team, because one tree does not make a forest—you need a good leader, but you also need a good team for a job well done.
“The point is that if we get this right, in about two and a half years, we shall get some of the challenges behind us, and in about 10 years, we would have a solid foundation, and in about 25 years, we would be there.
