Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that significant changes are needed in the governance structure for Nigeria to progress.
He made this statement on Friday during a meeting with six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, led by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, who represents the Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State.
The delegation also included Honourables Abdulmalik Danga, Dr. Usman Midala, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, and Kama Nkemkanma.
Obasanjo stated that Nigeria’s challenges could be surmounted if Nigerians committed to consistently doing what is right.
While acknowledging the lawmakers’ proposals for a single term presidency, nationwide elections on a single day, and power rotation between the North and South, Obasanjo argued that these measures alone would not suffice.
He stressed that effective leadership and a cohesive team are essential for genuine progress.
“To address Nigeria’s issues, we need to get leadership and team dynamics right. Within two and a half years, we could resolve these challenges, but over the next decade, we need to consolidate our gains.
In 25 years, we could achieve our goals. The problem is our tendency to advance and then regress, which stalls progress,” Obasanjo noted.
He suggested that the core issue is not just the democratic system but a need to rethink how democracy is practiced.
He proposed that a shift from the Western model of liberal democracy, which includes a loyal opposition, to a more consensus-driven approach could be beneficial.
Obasanjo emphasized the need for a collective effort to make meaningful changes.
“Whether we opt for a single six-year term or two four-year terms for presidents, our real challenge lies in changing our mindset. We must ‘decarbonize’ our thinking.
The key to progress is not the length of time in office but the quality and mindset of those in power. Our primary issue is ourselves, and only by addressing this can we make a real difference,” he added.
Obasanjo also urged Nigerians to elect leaders with proven integrity and the ability to address the nation’s problems effectively.
He highlighted that the tenure length of officeholders is irrelevant if the wrong individuals are in power.
In his welcome remarks, Ikenga expressed the delegation’s solidarity with Obasanjo and their desire to learn from his extensive knowledge on development and governance.
He praised Obasanjo for his visionary leadership and reforms during his presidency in 1999, which laid the groundwork for future progress, despite subsequent governments failing to build on these reforms.
Ikenga also informed Obasanjo that the lawmakers were co-sponsoring bills for a single six-year term for presidents and governors, power rotation between the North and South, and a unified election day for all political offices, aiming to reduce the bandwagon effect in elections.
