Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday urged Nigerians to work towards the nation’s greatness, emphasising the need to move beyond past failures.
He made this appeal in Abeokuta while receiving members of the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, at his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
“We must put the past behind us and work for Nigeria’s greatness,” Obasanjo said. “We have disappointed ourselves, the black race, Africa, and the world at large. Our concerns are justified—we have undermined the values of integrity, and there is a lack of truth and love. But it is not too late to correct our course.”
Obasanjo identified regionalism as the root of Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political challenges, stating that the country has remained fragmented for too long, hampering its development.
Despite Nigeria’s current difficulties, the former president expressed optimism about the future, stressing that with the right leadership, the country can achieve socioeconomic and political growth. He encouraged Nigerians to focus on national unity rather than regional divisions.
“Yes, you’ve called your group the League of Northern Democrats, but I wish you had named it the National League of Democrats because regional identity should not divide us,” he said. “Where I was born should not diminish my identity as a Nigerian. I am proud to be Yoruba, but being Nigerian should not be in conflict with that. We need to choose the best leaders, regardless of their background.”
Obasanjo further reminded the group of the expectations placed on Nigeria by the global community. “When we gained independence, we were hailed as the ‘giant in the sun,’ but is that how we are perceived today?” he asked.