Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned the character of Nigeria’s leaders, saying those who occupy public offices should be behind bars.
He stated this on Friday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while receiving in the audience six members of the House of Representatives, and co-sponsors of the bill on a single six-year term and rotation between the North.
They were led by a former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum Ugo Chinyere during the visit to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
“So, the very beginning is ourselves, yes system, yes we have to rethink our democracy but the character of people in government must change. With all due respect, most of those in government should right now be behind bars or in gallows,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “More than anything else, such as changing our system of government or adopting a single term of six or four years, we must change our ways of doing things. We must reform our thinking and character.
“I wish that succeeding governments had built upon the foundation we laid, even if not as quickly as hoped, but sadly, the blocks we put in place are being removed.
“What I know about Nigeria is that if we get it right — both leadership and team because one tree does not make a forest, you need a good leader but also a good team for a well-done job.
“If we get it right in about two and a half years, we could overcome some challenges, and in about 10 years, we will have a solid foundation. In about 25 years, we could be there.
But we always take one step forward, two steps aside, and four steps backward, which is why we are where we are.
“For me, it is not just about the system; we may need to rethink our liberal democracy. In Africa, we often talk about loyal opposition, but what we do is reach a consensus, and then there is no opposition; everyone is on the same page and moves together.
“In many African languages, the word for opposition translates to ‘enemies.’ What do you do with loyal enemies? Once you take power, you claim everything, and the opposition is left in the wilderness. This approach is not beneficial. We need everyone to join hands to advance society.
“Our main problem is ourselves. Whether we adopt a single term of six years or two terms of four years, if we maintain the same mentality and approach, nothing will change.”
Obasanjo also stated that the three arms of government —namely, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary — as well as the civil service and the private sector, must change their ways, “otherwise we all sink in the same boat called Nigeria.
He added, “As I have warned earlier, we should recognise that we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder if we fail to begin doing the right thing. For instance, the demands of the youth are very legitimate and should be listened to. Why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them?
“They are frustrated, hungry, angry, and unemployed. they deserve to be given a listening ear.”
The ex-president also warned that the widespread corruption in the oil sector would prevent our refineries from functioning effectively, noting that shell, which he contacted to take over the operation of the refineries during his time in government, declined the offer due to the unimaginable level of corruption.