Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, expressed deep concern on Tuesday about Nigeria’s failure to live up to its potential, stating that the country has disappointed the black race and Africa in particular due to a lack of effective leadership.
During a meeting with a 20-member delegation of the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Obasanjo highlighted that Nigeria was once seen as a beacon of hope for the black race. However, he attributed the nation’s decline to issues such as bad leadership, disunity, and regionalism, which have undermined its potential.
Obasanjo noted that regionalism, rooted in the pre-independence era, has contributed to Nigeria’s prolonged disunity. Despite these challenges, he maintained an optimistic outlook, believing that positive change is possible if the country acknowledges and rectifies past mistakes.
He emphasized that leadership should be based on merit and capability, rather than regional affiliations. “It is high time we begin to work for the national interest,” he asserted, advocating for a collective identity as Nigerians above ethnic divisions.
Obasanjo urged the delegation to consider a broader identity, suggesting that their group be renamed the “National League of Democrats” to reflect unity rather than regional distinctions. He stated, “Where I was born should not be the enemy of my country,” underscoring the need for collaboration across different backgrounds to achieve national progress.
He concluded by reminding the audience that the African continent and the global community have high expectations of Nigeria, urging a return to the ideals that once labeled the nation as the “giant of Africa.”