Obasanjo Urges Nigerian Government to Heed Youth Demands Amid Protests.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to address the grievances and demands of the youth that have driven recent nationwide protests. Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a meeting with six National Assembly members, Obasanjo emphasized the legitimacy of the youth’s concerns and warned of potential severe consequences if their demands are ignored.
The six lawmakers, who are co-sponsors of a bill proposing a single six-year presidential term with rotation between the North and South, met with Obasanjo to discuss the issue. Obasanjo urged the government to take the youth’s demands seriously and not dismiss their concerns.
Highlighting the plight of Nigerian youth, Obasanjo remarked, “You are what you are today because you’re a Nigerian; I’m what I am also because I’m a Nigerian. So why should they be Nigerians and be languishing in poverty?” He underscored that many young Nigerians are frustrated, desperate, and unemployed, reflecting a broader issue that needs urgent attention.
Obasanjo stressed that for Nigeria to reach its full potential, there must be a collective effort and a shift in mindset among those in power. He suggested that the focus should not solely be on whether to adopt a single six-year term or retain the current system, but on changing the approach to governance to address the pressing needs and concerns of the nation’s youth.