Many Nigerian Leaders Should Be in Jail – Obasanjo

• Former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticized current Nigerian leaders for lacking moral character, suggesting many should be imprisoned for their actions
• Obasanjo emphasized the need for character evaluation in leadership selection, arguing that Nigeria’s issues stem from poor leadership mentality and approach

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that many of those currently occupying public offices in Nigeria lack the moral character necessary for leadership and should instead be behind bars or even face harsher penalties.

Obasanjo made this assertion at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while hosting six members of the House of Representatives. These legislators, led by Ugochinyere Ikenga representing Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, are co-sponsors of bills advocating for a single six-year term presidency with rotational leadership between the North and the South and the rotation of governorship positions among the three senatorial districts in each of the 36 states.

The former president emphasized the importance of character in leadership, a quality he believes is sorely lacking among many of Nigeria’s current public officeholders. Obasanjo argued that the country would not see meaningful change until its leaders undergo a fundamental shift in mentality and approach to governance.

He remarked, “Our main problem is ourselves, and until we take care of ourselves, it doesn’t matter whether we have a one-term presidency of four years, six years, or seven years. Nothing will change if it’s the same people with the same mentality and way of doing things.”

Obasanjo continued by stressing the need to rethink not only Nigeria’s democratic system but also the character of those in government. “Yes, the system; yes, democracy. We have to rethink democracy. We have to rethink the form of government. But what about the character of the people in government? With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars, and some should even be in the gallows—that is the truth.”

He urged a more critical approach to selecting leaders, emphasizing the importance of evaluating their character, track record, and role model potential. “We need to think about how we select leaders; what should be the character of a leader we select? What should be their track record? Where should we find them? Are they role models? And I think those are the first things we must consider.”