By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the country as currently being in bondage.
Obasanjo, however, predicted that Nigeria would bounce back once the country has a leader that is “a true Nigerian” who does not promote sectional interest.
Chief Obasanjo made this known on Friday, July 18, when the Southern leadership of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The leadership that visited him included Prince Nweze Onu, National Deputy Chairman (South); Prince Ademola Ayoade, National Vice Chairman (South-West); Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, Ogun State NNPP 2023 gubernatorial candidate; Alhaja Shakirat Arowolo, Ogun State Secretary; Ronnie Dikko-Killa, Lagos State NNPP chairperson; Lady Chinyere Ofokansi, South-East Women Leader; and Mrs. Erelu Tosin, Sole South-West Women Leader.
Others were Mrs. Oluwakemi Kayode; Mrs. Dasola Adebayo; Oluyinka Folahan; Comrade Malik Sannie; South-West Youth Leader, Teluwo Kehinde; 2023 Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Kilamuwaye Badmus; NNPP South-West spokesman, Olagbenro Bababowale; Ibrahim Shuaib, South-West Treasurer; and Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary.
Obasanjo said: “Let’s continue watching the situation. We are in bondage and we should pray that God should free us from the bondage.”
The former President, who said he does not belong to any political party, insisted that Nigeria was his political party and that he was more concerned about improving the present state of the country.
He said Nigerians needed to be standing “so that they can have the opportunity to see the challenges better, rather than be on seat, watching what is going on in the country,” adding “if you don’t stand up, the country may end up in bad hands.”
He said Nigeria needed to look at the problems of insecurity, bad economy and shun tribalism.
He added that the country needed a true Nigerian as President.
“What we have been having are sectional leaders like Fulani Nigeria President, Hausa Nigeria President, Yoruba Nigeria President,” he said.
He added: “Until we have a true ‘Nigerian Nigeria leader,’ the problems plaguing the country will persist.
“We have few true Nigerians as politicians. Most of the politicians are concerned about themselves.
“Until we have a true Nigerian leader, our problems will remain unsolved. What we are having now are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa Nigerian and they are only protecting the interests of their tribes.”
Obasanjo said Nigeria was the leader of the Black Africa, but added that sadly the country has been a disappointment.
“Nigeria, as the leader of the Black African nations, has disappointed Africa and even the world,” he noted.
The former President said Nigeria had not been playing its leadership role and, thus, had been a disappointment to Africa and the nations of the world.
Speaking shortly after the visit, Ambassador Oguntoyinbo said political process was a game of interest and every politician had one motive or the other for joining politics.
“It is either you want to develop Nigeria or not. You must have one intention. It is either you want to contribute to the development of our nation or you are not ready.
“To say the fact, if we are going to look at the atmosphere of the political system we are in now, you would know that the situation is not good. We need to be open to ourselves.”
