Ogun, Nigeria – The former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could explode if it doesn’t take bold and decisive action to tackle its many issues. He identified purposeful leadership and teamwork, as factors that can bring positive change and development to the country.
Obasanjo made this statement at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, Ogun State while hosting six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, who co-sponsored bills seeking a single six-year term for the president and governors, power rotation between the northern and southern parts of the country, and a single day for presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly elections.
Obasanjo characterized Nigeria as a nation that makes two steps forward, one step sideways, and four steps backward. He emphasized that the government should acknowledge the protesters’ demands and stop pretending that the situation is under control. Speaking on the demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters, the former president affirmed that their grievances are entirely legitimate. He urged the government to listen to and address these concerns instead of misleading the public with false assurances that everything is fine.
He said, “As I have warned earlier, we should recognise that we are all sitting on a powder keg if we fail to begin doing the right thing. For instance, what the youth are demanding is very legitimate and should be listened to. Why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them? They are frustrated, hungry, angry, and unemployed, and they deserve to be heard.”
He added Nigerians must change their ways of doing things such as changing the system of government or adopting a single term of six or four years and there must be a reform in thinking and character for Nigeria to progress.
