Obasanjo: A single six-year term won’t solve Nigeria’s problems

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria will not advance toward its goals unless both citizens and leaders embrace what he terms “moral rearmament.” He cautioned that the country is on the brink of crisis if leaders do not take bold and decisive actions to address its numerous challenges.

Obasanjo shared these insights during a meeting with six members of the House of Representatives at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Friday. He acknowledged the legitimacy of the #EndBadGovernance protesters’ demands, urging the government to address them rather than pretending that everything is fine.

He criticized the current government for enjoying privileges while asking the suffering populace to be patient. Obasanjo expressed regret that successive administrations have not built upon the foundation he established, leading to setbacks for the nation.

He emphasized that the key to progress is not just changing the system of government or adopting different term limits, but fundamentally altering the nation’s approach and mindset. According to Obasanjo, “We need to change our mentality and character, not just the structure of government.”

He argued that the problems would persist regardless of whether the term limits are six years or four years if the underlying issues and mentalities remain unchanged. Obasanjo also pointed out that political opposition in Africa is often seen as adversarial, hindering genuine collaboration for progress.

He concluded that real change begins with personal and collective transformation, suggesting that many in government should face legal consequences for their actions.