Nigeria Has “Disappointed The Black Race, Africa, And The World At Large,” – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep concern over the persistent disunity in Nigeria, attributing the lack of national cohesion to regionalism that has existed since before the country gained independence in 1960.

Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a 20-member delegation of the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State governor Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, at his penthouse in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the former president lamented the country’s missed opportunities for greatness.

Obasanjo pointed to the foundation laid at independence as a key factor in the country’s prolonged division. He explained that regionalism practiced before and shortly after independence fostered a situation where the country operated more like three distinct entities than a united nation.

“The truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders, and so it has been a situation of three countries in one ever since,” he said. This disunity, he argued, has undermined the country’s potential to achieve greatness, limiting its ability to live up to its early reputation as a “giant in the sun.”

Despite the discouraging state of affairs, Obasanjo expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, provided the country could learn from its mistakes.

“I remain an incurable optimist about things turning around for good for the country, as long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistakes of the past,” he said.

He emphasized the need for the nation to move beyond regional loyalties and prioritize merit, capacity, and the ability to deliver on national objectives over considerations of ethnic or geographical origin.

Obasanjo critiqued the regional focus of the visiting group, urging them to adopt a more national outlook. While acknowledging the group’s identification as the League of Northern Democrats, he suggested a broader name change to the “National League of Democrats” to better reflect a commitment to national rather than regional interests.

“Where you come from should not be a problem,” Obasanjo said, adding, “Where I was born should not be the enemy of my ‘Nigerianess’. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.”

He expressed pride in his Yoruba heritage but stressed that ethnic identity should not undermine one’s commitment to the nation. The priority, he said, should be getting “the best man for the job,” regardless of their place of origin. He called for an end to the divisive politics of regionalism, advocating instead for leadership that would focus on the national interest.

Disappointment on a Global Scale

The former president was candid in his assessment of Nigeria’s current state, noting that the country had failed not only itself but also the African continent and the global community.

“The African continent, the black race, and the entire world are looking up to us,” he remarked. “When we got our independence, what they were calling us was a giant in the sun, but is that the situation today?”

He lamented that Nigeria had “disappointed the black race, Africa, and the world at large,” and called for urgent action to reverse the country’s decline.

Obasanjo attributed the country’s woes to a disregard for the values of integrity, truth, and love, which he said have been “rubbished” over the years. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that it is not too late for Nigeria to “retrace our steps” and work towards a more unified and prosperous future. He emphasized the need for a collective effort to put past grievances aside and build a better nation.

In his interaction with the League of Northern Democrats, Obasanjo shared the group’s concerns about the poor state of affairs in Nigeria but emphasized that the country was not beyond redemption.

The 2023 Election: A Recent Example of Nigeria’s Ethnic Divisions

Obasanjo’s lamentation comes in the wake of the 2023 general elections, which exposed an unprecedented level of ethnic and religious bigotry within the country’s electoral process. His statements highlight a troubling reality: the persistence of ethnic politics, which many believe is one of the primary factors hindering Nigeria’s development.

Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has struggled with a political culture dominated by ethnic allegiances rather than merit-based leadership selection. This culture is believed to have resulted in the election of leaders who are chosen not for their competence or vision but for their ethnic or religious affiliations. As a result, Nigeria has often found itself governed by leaders who may not be the most capable, contributing to the country’s protracted socio-economic challenges.

The 2023 general election brought these issues into sharp focus. The level of ethnic and religious bigotry displayed during the election was unprecedented, with politicians and their supporters frequently appealing to ethnic sentiments to garner votes. Observers noted that this divisive strategy intensified long-standing animosities and overshadowed the pressing need for a national agenda that prioritizes economic development, security, and social justice.

The consequences of this political structure have been profound. Successive governments have been marred by allegations of favoritism and ethnic bias, resulting in policies that favor certain regions over others. This trend has persisted into modern times, with electoral contests often framed as battles between ethnic groups rather than debates about policies and programs that would benefit the entire nation.

The former president lamented that this practice has prevented Nigeria from reaching its full potential, leading to a situation where “the worst are usually chosen over the best” based on ethnicity.