During a meeting on Friday in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed his views while welcoming six members of the House of Representatives, who are also co-sponsors of a proposed bill advocating for a single six-year presidential term with rotational leadership between the North and South of Nigeria. The delegation was led by Ugo Chinyere, a former chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
Obasanjo emphasized that the root of Nigeria’s challenges lies not just in the system of governance but also in the character of those in power. He pointed out that many of the current leaders, in his opinion, belong in prison or worse, stating that the nation’s democracy requires a thorough reevaluation, but the real change must come from the people who govern.
He reflected on his time in office, noting that subsequent governments had failed to build on the foundation he had laid. He argued that whether a president serves a single six-year term or two four-year terms, the duration is irrelevant if the leader’s mindset and actions remain corrupt. According to him, a longer or shorter term wouldn’t prevent a corrupt leader from causing harm; it would merely determine how long they have to do so.
Obasanjo concluded that the real issue isn’t the length of the term but the need for a fundamental change in the mentality of those in power. He believes that without addressing the underlying problems within the leadership and the populace, no amount of structural change—whether it’s a six-year term or any other variation—will bring about the necessary improvements in governance.
