Olusegun Obasanjo, the ex-president of Nigeria, criticized the current state of the country on Friday, suggesting that most of its leaders belong in prison or on the gallows rather than in positions of power.
Speaking to six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of selecting leaders based on their character.
Obasanjo warned that without a shift in mindset among leaders, Nigeria would continue to struggle to achieve the desired change.
“Our main problem is ourselves and until we take care of ourselves, we may have one term of four years, one term of six years, one term of seven years, if it’s the same people and same mentality and way we do things, then it won’t change.
“Yes system, yes democracy, we have to rethink democracy, we have to rethink the form of government, but what is the character of the people in government?
“With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars, some should even be in the gallows and that is the truth.
“Now if these are the people that are ruling us, then what do you expect? So, the point is the character of the people that are coming to the government. Their attributes, the sort of people they truly are.
“We need to really 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 have to think about,” he stated.
The lawmakers’ entourage included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo.
