Obasanjo: The Real Issue to Nigeria’s Problems is Not Presidential or Gubernatorial Tenure
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo stated yesterday that Nigeria’s problems are not rooted in the length of presidential or gubernatorial terms but rather in the mindset of its leaders and citizens.
Obasanjo emphasized that without a fundamental shift in attitudes among Nigerians, achieving effective governance and the desired socio-economic transformation will remain out of reach. He made these comments while hosting six members of the House of Representatives, led by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.
He expressed frustration that Nigeria continues to progress unevenly, moving “two steps forward and three steps backward.” According to Obasanjo, true advancement requires changes in governance and public attitudes. He argued that the nation’s issues will only be resolved if Nigerians engage in honest self-reflection, cleanse themselves of negative traits, and commit to doing what is right.
Obasanjo dismissed proposals for a single-term presidency, nationwide one-day elections, and power rotation between the North and South as insufficient for bringing about the necessary attitudinal changes. He stressed that what Nigeria truly needs are effective leaders and cohesive teams. Reflecting on his own tenure, he noted that his administration succeeded because of the strong team he assembled.
He commented, “To overcome our challenges within two and a half years, we need to consolidate our achievements in the next decade, and in 25 years, we should be well on our way. Our problem is that we often make little progress before falling back. It’s not just about the system but about rethinking our approach to democracy. We need to move beyond a Western Liberal Democracy model to one that emphasizes consensus and collaboration.”
Obasanjo urged Nigerians to elect leaders with proven integrity and the capability to address the country’s issues effectively. He warned that term lengths are irrelevant if the same problematic mentality persists among leaders.
Ikenga, in his address, praised Obasanjo for his foresight and the reforms implemented during his presidency. He expressed disappointment that subsequent administrations did not build on these reforms, particularly in areas like electricity, foreign policy, civil service, and digital advancements.
