Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has cautioned that Nigeria will continue to stagnate unless those in power change their mentality and re-evaluate their approach to governance.
Obasanjo, speaking on Friday during a meeting with six lawmakers from the House of Representatives in Abeokuta, Ogun State, described the country as taking “two steps forward and two steps backward.”
The delegation of lawmakers, led by Ugochinyere Ikenga, Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, sought Obasanjo’s insights on various national issues. Other lawmakers present included Abdulmalik Danga, Adavi/Okehi, Usman Midala, Askira-Uba/Hawul, Peter Aniekwe, Anambra East/West, and Kama Nkemkanma, Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo.
The former President emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges cannot be resolved merely by implementing reforms such as a single-term Presidency, one-day countrywide elections, or power rotation between the North and South. Instead, he argued that purposeful leadership and a cohesive team are essential for driving positive development in the country.
Obadanjo stated, “What I know about Nigeria is that we need to get it right in terms of leadership and the team. The point is that, within two and a half years, we can overcome these challenges.”
He warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that might blow up at any moment if the country’s leaders do not take bold and immediate action to address numerous problems.
“In another 10 years, we need to consolidate what we have achieved, and in 25 years, we will be there. Our problem is that we take two steps forward and probably two steps backward, and that won’t get us anywhere.
“In the African system, we typically work through consensus. We need to join hands to make things work. If we get it right, whether we have a single six-year term Presidency or two four-year terms, we need to work on our mentality.
“We have to decarbonize our brains. Our main problem is ourselves. Until we address our own issues, the length of office terms won’t matter.
“If the same people with the same mentality are in power, nothing will change. Our starting point is ourselves,” he added.
In response, Ikenga praised Obasanjo’s leadership and the reforms he implemented during his administration, lamenting that successive governments had failed to build on these achievements.
The legislator praised Obasanjo for the various reforms he brought about during his administration and accused succeeding governments of not expanding on his achievements for the good of Nigerians.
The lawmaker added, “If there had been consolidation of electricity reforms, foreign policies, civil service reforms and digital reforms by successive governments, we would not be facing the economic challenges we are today.”
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