Obasanjo laments disunity, calls for national unity, merit-based leadership

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed deep concern over the country’s ongoing disunity, describing it as a significant factor holding back Nigeria’s potential to lead the African continent and the global black race.

Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a 20-member delegation from the League of Northern Democrats at his residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Obasanjo highlighted the need for the nation to address past mistakes and embrace a unified future.

Despite the country’s current challenges, Obasanjo maintained an optimistic outlook, asserting that Nigeria’s future could improve if efforts were made to correct historical errors. He attributed the lack of national cohesion to the regionalism that existed prior to the country’s independence in 1960.

“At independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders,” he said. “This has resulted in a situation where the country has functioned like three nations in one.”

The former president emphasized that the focus when appointing leaders should be on merit, competence, and ability, rather than regional or ethnic origins.

“It is high time we began working for the national interest,” Obasanjo urged, adding that divisive questions about a leader’s origin should not overshadow their qualifications to move the country forward.

He expressed his hope that the League of Northern Democrats would reconsider its name, suggesting a broader scope. “How I wish you call your group the National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem,” Obasanjo said. He stressed that his Nigerian identity should complement, not conflict with, his Yoruba heritage.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s lost potential, Obasanjo lamented, “When we got our independence, we were referred to as the ‘giant in the sun.’ But is that our reality today? We have disappointed ourselves, the black race, Africa, and the world at large.” He called for unity and a collective effort to rebuild the country’s image and progress, urging Nigerians to put past failures behind them and work toward national greatness.

Obasanjo also voiced his support for the ideals of the League of Northern Democrats, which focus on governance, unity, and national development. He suggested that their objectives transcended regional boundaries, and he offered to serve as a patron for the group if they adopted a more national approach. “The African continent, the black race, and the entire world are looking to us,” he said.

In his response, the leader of the League of Northern Democrats, former Kano State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, explained that the group was formed three months ago to promote good governance and national unity.

Shekarau outlined the group’s goals, including addressing issues of education, employment, and the selection of credible leaders.

Shekarau noted the disparity between the 93 million registered voters in Nigeria and the relatively small number of ruling class members, lamenting that voters had failed to elect capable leaders.

“The President, his vice, 36 governors, their deputies, and lawmakers—totaling just over 11,000—are being chosen by millions of voters, yet credible leadership remains elusive,” Shekarau said.

In alignment with Obasanjo’s recommendations, Shekarau promised that the group would consider renaming itself to reflect a more inclusive and national focus