Nigeria has Disappointed Africa and Black Race – Obasanjo

iexclusivenews – Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed his disappointment in Nigeria’s leadership, stating that the country has let down Africa and the black race.

Speaking on Tuesday, Obasanjo highlighted the nation’s failure to live up to its potential due to poor leadership, disunity, and regionalism.

Obasanjo made these remarks while hosting a 20-member delegation from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, at his Penthouse within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

He emphasized that the world once looked to Nigeria as the hope of the black race, but the country’s potential has been squandered due to bad leadership.

“The whole world looked at Nigeria as the hope of the black race due to its potential, but bad leadership, disunity, and regionalism have made the country lose its potential,” Obasanjo stated.

What Obasanjo Said

Obasanjo attributed Nigeria’s prolonged lack of cohesion to regionalism practiced before the nation’s independence in 1960.

He explained that Nigeria emerged with three leaders at independence, creating a situation of “three countries in one” ever since.

“The truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders, and so, it is a situation of three countries in one ever since,” he said.

A Call for Merit-Based Leadership

The former President stressed that the focus should be on merit, capacity, and the ability to deliver, rather than regional or ethnic considerations when appointing leaders.

He urged the nation to work for the national interest and get the best person for the job, regardless of their background.

“It is high time we begin to work for the national interest. We must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together,” Obasanjo emphasized.

Obasanjo lamented that Nigeria has disappointed itself, Africa, and the world at large. However, he remains optimistic that the country can turn things around by learning from past mistakes and working together as a united nation.

“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa, and the world at large. So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love, but it is not too late to retrace our steps. We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria,” he said.

A Pan-Africanist Vision

Obasanjo reaffirmed his commitment to being a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic Nigerian, and a proud black man. He advised the League of Northern Democrats to change its name to the National League of Democrats to reflect its national ideals and inclusivity.

“You have identified your group as League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem. Where I was born should not be the enemy of my country. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian than being a member of the Republic of Oodua,” Obasanjo stated.

Earlier, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, the leader of the League of Northern Democrats, explained that the non-partisan group was created to rally for good governance and national unity.

The group, formed three months ago, aims to address issues such as unity, youth employment, education, good governance, and insecurity.

Shekarau lamented that despite having 93 million registered voters, Nigeria struggles to elect credible leaders from a ruling class of just over 11,000 members. He expressed hope that the group’s advocacy would influence positive change in the country’s governance.

A Call to Action

Obasanjo’s remarks highlight the urgent need for Nigeria to address its leadership challenges and work towards unity and reform. As the country grapples with its current state, the call for merit-based leadership and national interest becomes even more critical. The former President’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria serves as a reminder of the nation’s potential and the importance of working together to achieve it.