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Tag: Olusegun Obasanjo

  • Picking A Vice President In 1999 Was A Mistake – Obasanjo

    Picking A Vice President In 1999 Was A Mistake – Obasanjo

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday said picking a running mate in the 1999 presidential election was a mistake.

    He made the comment while speaking in Abeokuta at a leadership and entrpreneurship mentoring session with selected school students.

    Obasanjo, who won the 1999 and 2003 presidential elections, ran alongside Atiku Abubakar.

    Mr Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections.

    “I don’t say I don’t make mistakes – I made many of them,” Obasanjo said.

    “But one thing that has happened to me is that God has never disappointed me. And that is very important.

    “For instance, one of the mistakes I made was picking a number two when I was going to become President.

    “But because it is a genuine mistake, God saved me out of it.”

    Mr Obasanjo, a retired general, also said many people thought joining the army was a mistake.

    “Or when Abacha wanted to arrest me, the American ambassador said that they will arrest me and that America has asked I should be given asylum,” he said. “I said no, I will come home.

    “It could have been a mistake because I could have lost my life.

    “So many things I could have seen as mistakes, but God saved me from them all.”

  • Disregard Obasanjo’s Comments on Nigeria’s Insecurity; Group Urges Nigerians

    Disregard Obasanjo’s Comments on Nigeria’s Insecurity; Group Urges Nigerians

    A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Save Nigeria Movement has described as hypocrisy and antics of a failed leader, comments attributed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the inability to combat insecurity in Nigeria is a choice of her leaders.

    The CSO similarly noted with sad concern comments attributed to Obasanjo that Nigeria needs a mad leader to govern her effectively. This kind of advice is ill motivated and has no place in a democracy. Obasanjo dictatorship kind of leadership did not solve any of Nigeria’s problems and should therefore not be recommended as an option.

    In a strongly worded press release signed and made available to journalist in Abuja by the Convener Rev. Solomon Semaka, the group wondered why somebody whose tenure was marked with several episodes of insecurity will suddenly turn around to crucify others for failing to combat insecurity.

    “Nigeria under Obasanjo was a theatre of insecurity. The disruption of oil production in the South South, kidnapping of expatriates and the birth of terrorism in Nigeria were some of the sad achievements of President Obasanjo. It is therefore uncharitable for him to insinuate that the inability of the current administration to end insecurity is a choice”, the statement noted.

    The CSO also castigated Obasanjo for failing Nigerians in his own time in the area of economic development, job creation and social amenities which are essential indices for peace and development.

    “Obasanjo lacks the credentials to pontificate over Nigeria’s insecurity because he laid the foundation for everything that’s happening in the country now. He was a lawless leader who paid no attention to the rule of law or the separation of powers. He should be held accountable for his role in the Ife/Modakeke crisis, the massacres in Zaki Biam and Udi”, the statement insisted.

    The CSO equally noted that even though Obasanjo paid lip service to corruption, corruption and embezzlement of public fund was a booming business under his watch as evidenced in the guise of privatisation and the sale of government properties and the handling of repatriated funds. This, the group noted was the begining of Nigeria’s problems and the root cause of all insecurity in the country.

    “We challenge Obasanjo to come clean and tell Nigerians what happened to oil revenues under his watch. He should explain to Nigerians what happened to the billions made in the name of privatisation. He should explain to Nigerians what he did with the repatriated Abacha loot under his watch. If these monies went into developing the nation, we would have had a good economy and solid institutions that would have addressed our challenges as a nation”, the statement added

    While urging him to be an elder states man deserving of the privileges he enjoys as a military head of State and democratically elected leader, the CSO urged him not be an agent of distraction and a puppet in the hands of some disgruntled elements.

    “To whom much is given, more is expected. Nigeria has given so much to Obasanjo and it will be unfair for him to give back nothing in return. Instead of siding with enemies of the State, he should be offering solutions to the problems bedeviling the country and mobilizing his wealth of experience both at home and in the diaspora to make the country better”, the statement added.

  • Nigeria Needs Leaders With A Touch Of Madness – Obasanjo

    Nigeria Needs Leaders With A Touch Of Madness – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria requires a leader driven by passion and madness to rule the country and put it on the right footing.

    Obasanjo, who stated this when he played host to a presidential aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, at his Abeokuta, Ogun State residence, said he is mad about Nigeria and has no apology for that.

    He lamented that the current situation in Nigeria is not only agonising for him, but for other Nigerians who also desire a better country.

    The former President insisted that, Nigeria can overcome its security challenges within two years with the right leader who is willing to make tough decisions.

    Obasanjo, therefore urged Nigerians to brace up and be ready to made sacrifices to put the country back on the right path.

    His words: “Some people say the human memories are short, maybe they are right because if human memories are not short, some of the mistakes that we are making, we will not be making them.

    “Yes, we have a record which some people may find a little bit not what they want to hear, but whatever people want to hear, I believe like you (Hayatu-Deen) have rightly said, that this period is not like any other period in the history of Nigeria and you used two words, decomposing and dissolving. I can’t find any better words to describe the situation we have found ourselves.

    “It is an agonising situation for you obviously and also for me. I want to emphasise the point that the Nigerian situation, bad as it is, will only be put right by Nigerians at the forefront of our situation. So, Nigerians have to brace themselves up to do what needs to be done to put Nigeria back on the right path.

    “And you are right in saying that wherever you go now, one of the things you hear is that Nigeria is not on the table, but why shouldn’t Nigeria be on the table? What does it cost Nigeria to be on the table?

    “I will say four things, of which I was reminded this morning. One is knowledge. If Nigeria is not at the table, maybe the knowledge that we should have of ourselves, of our situation, of our continent and indeed of the world is not that adequate, if that knowledge is adequate, we will do what is right, when it is right and how it is right.

    “The second is vision, what is the vision that we have? And if you have no vision, you may have eyes, but you are blind. And I believe that is part of our situation.

    “The third is passion. And when you said, that you are involved in this, with a passion and I was telling some people this morning that, passion means madness, that you are mad about Nigeria, I am and I have no apologies for that because I have no other country I can call my own and I have no other country I can go to and say yes, I have come to live here.

    “Passion means being mad about Nigeria, having a touch of madness and I look at you (Hayatu-Deen) and say yes, you are mad about Nigeria too.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Hayatu-Deen declared that, Nigeria is “decomposing and dissolving very fast.”

    Hayatu-Deen, a former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, is currently meeting with the PDP delegates at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

  • 2023 Presidency Should Go To South-East — Obasanjo

    2023 Presidency Should Go To South-East — Obasanjo

    Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has restated his position that the South-East should be allowed to produce Nigeria’s President in 2023, insisting that it would ensure peace, justice, fairness and sustainable national development in the country.

    Similarly, former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, also threw his weight behind a South-East presidency, noting that it is the only zone that has not produced the president in recent times.

    Obasanjo, who addressed members of Political Action Committee, PAC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who visited him at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, to solicit his support for the quest for a Nigerian President of South-East extraction, said the minimum Nigerians would accept is that the next president should come from the South.

    Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, at its meeting, last week, mandated its president general and the secretary to constitute a political committee to go around the country to solicit support for a president from the South-East.

    The Ohanaeze team consists of Ambassador George Obiozor, the President General; Ambassador Okey Emuchay, the Secretary-General; former president generals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, and Gary Igariwey.

    Others are Professor Anya Anya, former Chairman, Police Service Commission, Simon Okeke, and Dr. Chiedozie Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    “The next president of Nigeria must come from the South East. The least acceptable minimum is a president from the Southern part of Nigeria”, Obasanjo was quoted by Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, as saying.

    The former President, who commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo for demanding their rights, told the delegation that what he “owes Nigeria is sincerity, objectivity and guidance.”

    He maintained the need for morality, equity and justice in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural country like Nigeria, warning that “it is inconceivable to have peace and progress in a country that is rooted in injustice.”

    Obasanjo said: “Federal character, rotation of power and such other measures are meant to help our nation-building process and more sure-footedly, move Nigeria forward” and warned that “riding over these measures rudely, shoddily and roughly cannot augur well for our nation-building process and progress.”

    In his remarks, Obiozor commended the former president for his unwavering commitment to peace and unity of Nigeria, saying that Obasanjo remains one of the strongest voices in Nigeria and one of the most respected Nigerians in the world because of his track records of accomplishments while his tenure lasted as the President of Nigeria.

    He commended him for his courage, sincerity, steadfastness and passion for justice, especially as it affects the Igbo and the future of Nigeria.

  • 2023: Nigeria Needs Only Men of Integrity at this Moment – Obasanjo

    2023: Nigeria Needs Only Men of Integrity at this Moment – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed optimism that whatever the situation and condition is, all will be well with Nigeria.

    Obasanjo, who said this at a Global Crusade organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church, in Abeokuta and monitored online on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to have faith in God.

    The former President said that considering the situation of things, Nigeria and the entire world required God’s visitation, urging all children of God to seek His face for visitation.

    “If you consider what is going on in our cities, our states, our country, our region of West Africa, our continent and indeed our globe, our world required crusade of this nature.

    “Some people accused us, Christians of `religiosity’ without spirituality. Yes, that has been the position of the world even in the time of Jesus Christ, but should we lose hope? No.

    “There is no time in the world that things have been bad that it is not the children of God that stood out,” he said.

    He said that Noah stood out in his time and also Job, who God described as a man who feared God and shun evil and a man of great integrity.

    “Nigeria needs such men of integrity at this present moment.

    “I believe that because of these kinds of men and women of such virtue in Nigeria, God will open his eyes and have mercy on this country.

    “Unless those who don’t want to be honest with themselves will say that all is well, but if we trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ all will be well.

    “Children of God, whatever may be our situation, whatever may be the condition, let us have faith in God, and all will be well,” Obasanjo said.

    The General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, who had earlier paid a visit to the former president, prayed to God to grant him many more years to contribute to the progress of the country.

    Kumuyi stated that his visit was to show respect to Obasanjo and to also invite him to the crusade where he could share his words of wisdom with the people and the global community.

    The general overseer, in his message, said that God had prepared complete dominion over the circumstances of the world through Jesus Christ.

    Kumuyi said that the only way to have complete dominion over problems and other circumstances was to live in holiness and consecration to God through Jesus Christ.

  • 2023: Gov Udom Visits Obasanjo, says he’s ready to Nigeria

    2023: Gov Udom Visits Obasanjo, says he’s ready to Nigeria

    As a part of the ongoing consultation with strategic stakeholders in the country, presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who is also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has visited the Abeokuta residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to formally inform him of his presidential ambition.

    According to a statement by the spokesman of his campaign group, Mr. Bola Bolawole, Governor Emmanuel informed the elder statesman that he was ready to rescue and restore Nigeria, having had sufficient private and public sector experience, with remarkable results to show for it.

    He posited that the major issues plaguing Nigeria can be solved by a focused, sincere and capable leadership and assured Chief Obasanjo that, if given the opportunity, he would take practical steps to boost the economy and return Nigeria to her glory days.

    Responding, Chief Obasanjo appreciated the presidential aspirant for the show of respect in coming to inform him of his aspiration.

    Obasanjo said: “Knowing you the way I do and the knowledge that you possess, which you have expressed in your brief speech, I have no doubt that if you have the opportunity, you will fix the economy of Nigeria.

    “Our country is complex but not a complicated country to govern. It needs the application of honesty, fairness, and justice.

    “I know that you are a man of conscience who fears God and will apply these guiding principles in your leadership.

    “You have shown what you can do for Nigeria by what you have done in your state. It is, therefore, logical that when the opportunity presents itself, you will bring what you have done in your state to bear on the larger community.

    “Your presidential bid is a fair and legitimate thing to ask for “, he added.
    The presidential aspirant was accompanied on the trip by a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, two members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pat Ifon and Nsikak Ekong and Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

  • Insecurity: State Police A Better Option – Obasanjo

    Insecurity: State Police A Better Option – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that amid growing insecurity in the country, the creation of state police would be a better option than community policing.

    Obasanjo made this disclosure when the leadership of the National Association of Ex-local government chairmen in Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

    A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi hinted the visit was led by the pioneer National chairman, Hon. Albert Asipa, the Ogun State chapter Chairman, Rt. Hon. Shoyemi Coker, Hon. Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju (Delta State) (Chairman BOT) and the traditional ruler of Odogbolu, His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Toye Mojeed Alatise, Gbegande of Ososa, a former chairman of Ijebu Ode local government area of Ogun State among others.

    Obasanjo, who commended the initiative behind the formation of the body, said that the development clearly showed that some local chairmen in the country were better than even the top elected leaders.

    The former President while responding to one of the speakers, Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju’s submission on creation of community police to curb the wave of insecurity quipped that the idea needed to be changed.

    “Our situation in Nigeria concerns everyone, particularly, the case of terrorism. The case has gotten over the issue of community police. It is now State police. It is from that State Police that we can now be talking about community police,” he said.

    He also spoke on the need to strengthen the traditional system and the local government administration, “which I prepared during the popular Murtala/Obasanjo administration, because I believe that there is need to enable that tier of government to work truly as a local governmen. They have their own Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.

    “They were working and they were very visible, building and managing roads, looking into education, health, local administration, agriculture, but they were all gone,” Obasanjo said.

    He said that the experience the former chairmen had in local government administration was enough to aspire for higher posts, stressing that some of them have the competence, ability and integrity to get to these posts.

    Obasanjo, who was presented with a letter of a life patron, assured that he would look into their request, assuring further that he would be available on request for their needs at all times.

    Ashipa had earlier told the former President why they decided to come together in all the 774 local governments in the country, declaring, “we can also contribute to the economy and political developments of the country.

    “And realising your position as father of local government in Nigeria, we need you to actualize our goals, hence this all important visit. And to come and say happy 85th birthday celebrations. ”

    Others present were Hon. Abayomi Tella (National Organising Secretary), Hon. Garba Fatai Adeniyi (National Auditor), Hon. Ayantoye Adekunle ( State Chairman, Osun State), Hon Tajudeen Oke (State Chairman, Oyo State), Hon. Akinwunmi Sowore (State Chairman, Ondo State), Hon Ogidi Akindele (State Chairman, Ekiti State) and Hon Nicholas Akinbiola ( Ondo State).

    They also include, Hon. Adeniyi Fasanmi ( National Asst Fin Secretary), Hon Isikilu Makinde (Ogun State), Hon Gafar Balogun (Ogun State), Hon. Yayaya Olodeoku (Chairman, OGBC) and Hon. Tajudeen Salako (State Secretary, Ogun State).

  • Buhari’s Govt not overwhelmed by insecurity – Lai Mohammed counters Obasanjo

    Buhari’s Govt not overwhelmed by insecurity – Lai Mohammed counters Obasanjo

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Monday, said the Muhammadu Buhari administration is not overwhelmed by the security challenges in the country.

    Recall that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo had on Sunday said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is overwhelmed by insecurity.

    Obasanjo while reacting to the recent Kaduna train attack said Nigerians travelling are no longer safe on the road, in the train and at the airport

    He called for concerted efforts to stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria, regretting that the Buhari administration had been overwhelmed by the situation.

    Reacting, Mohammed on a TVC programme, condoled with the families of the victims, citing the various Federal Government’s efforts in tackling the security challenges in the country.

    He said the government is fast-tracking the installation of some security gadgets on railway tracks to ensure adequate surveillance.

    “The Federal Government is working toward ensuring that such incident does not reoccur.

    “One of the things that the government wants to do is to fast-track the installation of a surveillance and monitoring system, not just on the Abuja-Kaduna rail track.

    “But also on the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe rail tracks to ensure that at any given time we will be able to monitor from the control room,’’ he said.

    Mohammed claimed that in spite of the security challenges, the military and other security personnel were doing their best and have recorded successes in their fight against terrorism.

    “ We must give kudos to our military; you know that we are not fighting a conventional war but terrorism, hence the need for everyone to support the security agencies so as to win over the menace.

    “The Federal Government has also given the military the enabling environment to continue in the fight against terrorism and banditry,’’ he said.

    The minister also assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that every state is secured.

  • Insecurity: Citizens no longer safe anywhere in Nigeria – Obasanjo

    Insecurity: Citizens no longer safe anywhere in Nigeria – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigerians are no longer safe anywhere in the country.

    Speaking on Saturday while receiving Ugochukwu Williams, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at his residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, the former president said citizens are no longer sure of safety while travelling on the road, airport and train.

    Obasanjo said the country is in a very serious situation as the security challenges have overwhelmed the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “So, if anybody comes to say I want to see you, I want to talk to you, I will say ‘you’re welcome’. This is because I believe very strongly, and I have said it publicly and I will say it again, that the situation we are in this country is not a situation where one man will say yes, he has a solution unless we are deceiving ourselves. I believe we need to sit down collectively and look at the situation,” Obasanjo said.

    “A situation where you are not safe on the road, you are not safe on the train, you are not safe at the airport, shows a very serious situation.

    “I believe that all right-thinking Nigerians must know that we have a situation that has overwhelmed the present administration, but we should not allow that situation to overwhelm Nigeria.”

  • Terrorism: Obasanjo left behind capable, disciplined military, we are shocked – Kwankwaso

    Terrorism: Obasanjo left behind capable, disciplined military, we are shocked – Kwankwaso

    Former minister of defence, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said that the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, of which he was a part of, left behind a military that was capable, disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

    Kwankwaso said he is very much shocked and surprised over what is happening in the country and for the fact that it is happening not too far away from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Kwankwaso, who spoke in an interview with Channels Television, believes the military’s incapability is a reflection of leadership failure on the part of the current administration.

    “It is very unfortunate that all of us in this country have to find ourselves in this problem. The issue of security, not only in Nigeria but all over the world is key,” the former Governor of Kano State said.

    “And that is why our constitution and every other constitutions that I know put a lot of emphasis on the issue of security of lives and property.

    “I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to become the minister of defence during the second tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and in that office I had the opportunity to work together with the military. I believe that we left a military that was capable and disciplined and ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of this country.

    “I had the opportunity to visit them all over the world, especially here in Africa …and other parts of the world where they have reasons to be there for operations and they did it successfully and they all returned back. Now what we are seeing today, in my opinion, is a reflection of leadership. They [the military] are trying their best…

    “So, put all this together, what we are seeing today, my humble self and many other people who are associated with the military and other security agencies, are very much shocked and surprised that some of these things are happening, happening not too far away from here in Abuja.

    “Happening between here and Kaduna and many other parts of this country. I believe this is the time to advise the government to do whatever they can to get better improvements so that people can have confidence in this country.”

    Gunmen suspected to be terrorists had recently bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train between Katari and Rigina axis on Monday night.

    Many passengers were said to have been initially kidnapped, including Zamfara State former deputy Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Liman, during the deadly attack.

    Others were shot dead and an unascertained number of the passengers also sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots.

    Since then, several other attacks have been successfully conducted by the daredevil terrorists in Zaria, Abuja-Kaduna highway and many other places where several Nigerians have either been kidnapped or killed.

    There were also reports of terrorists’ attack in the Kubwa axis of Abuja on Wednesday.