Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asserted that many individuals currently holding public office in Nigeria should be imprisoned.
He criticized the leadership qualities of those in power, suggesting they would be better suited for incarceration or worse.
According to Plateau News, Obasanjo made these remarks during a meeting at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with six members of the House of Representatives who are co-sponsoring legislation aimed at establishing a single six-year term for the presidency.
The legislation also advocates 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 dismissed the proposed six-year single-term presidency as an ineffective solution to Nigeria’s challenges, emphasizing the need to rethink the country’s democracy.
He warned that Nigeria is precariously positioned and could face serious consequences if bold actions are not taken to address the nation’s issues.
The former president supported the demands raised by the #EndBadGovernance protesters, urging the government to address these concerns rather than ignore them.
He criticized the lavish lifestyles of those in power, highlighting the need for leaders to empathize with the struggling populace.
Obasanjo expressed disappointment over the failure of successive administrations to build on the foundation he established during his presidency, noting that this has led to significant setbacks for the country.
He emphasized the importance of changing the mentality and character of those in government, arguing that without such changes, reforms like a single-term presidency would be ineffective.
In his remarks, Obasanjo stated that Nigeria needs a good leader and a capable team to overcome its challenges.
He advocated for a consensus-driven approach to governance in Africa, where all parties work together to move society forward, rather than the current system where opposition is treated as an enemy.
Obasanjo concluded by emphasizing that the primary issue facing Nigeria is the character of its leaders.
He argued that without a change in mentality and behavior, structural reforms like changing the presidential term length would not solve the country’s problems.
He stressed that many of those in government should be behind bars or worse, given their actions and the current state of governance in the country.