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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed deep concern over the state of disunity in the country, describing it as a major obstacle preventing Nigeria from achieving its full potential.
Speaking on Tuesday, Obasanjo noted that the lack of national cohesion has hindered Nigeria from becoming the leading light of the black race, a position it should naturally occupy.
Despite the challenges, Obasanjo stated that he remains an “incurable optimist” about the country’s future, believing that Nigeria can turn things around if it addresses the mistakes of the past.
He specifically blamed the regionalism practised before Nigeria’s independence in 1960 as the root of the nation’s prolonged lack of unity, explaining that the country has struggled with the dynamic of “three countries in one” since emerging with three regional leaders at independence.
Obasanjo made these remarks while receiving a 20-member delegation from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
The former President further emphasized that leadership appointments in Nigeria should be based on merit, capacity, and the ability to deliver, rather than focusing on regional or ethnic backgrounds.
He urged the country to prioritize the national interest over sectional considerations, saying, “It is high time we began working for the national interest.”
Obasanjo said “Yes, you have identified your group as League of Northern Democrats but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem. Where I was born should not be the enemy of my Nigerianess. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.
“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba…we must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together.
“The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up unto us. When we got our independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun but is that the situation today?
“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large. So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love but it is not too late to retrace our steps. We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria.”
Obasanjo added that he shared the concerns of the group for the poor state of things in the country but that the situation is not beyond salvaging as long everyone is ready to come together and work as a united nation.
He noted that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and Nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.
He urged the League of Northern Democrats to consider changing their name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals the group espoused are what cut across the nation, saying that he wouldn’t mind being their patron if he could not be their active member due to old age.
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