Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a strong warning over the state of governance in Nigeria, declaring that any government unable to protect lives and property has effectively lost its legitimacy.
Speaking during an appearance on News Central’s Soni Irabor Live over the weekend, Obasanjo painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current security and leadership challenges, attributing the country’s deepening crisis to poor governance and a lack of strategic direction.
He argued that Nigeria’s diminishing role on the global stage reflects a broader leadership failure, noting that the country is no longer influential in international decision-making or regional affairs. According to him, this decline is particularly evident in the handling of relations within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On the issue of insecurity, Obasanjo expressed concern that crimes such as kidnapping are becoming normalized in society. He urged Nigerians to reject such developments, recalling a time when citizens could travel freely across the country without fear.
Delivering a blunt assessment, the former leader insisted that safeguarding citizens is the primary duty of any government. He warned that failure in this regard strips an administration of its right to exist.
Obasanjo traced the roots of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to the post-civil war era, citing the unchecked spread of weapons. He added that the situation has been compounded by poor governance, the return of armed fighters following the collapse of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, and the politicization of armed groups.
He also raised alarm over the growing number of out-of-school children, estimated at around 20 million, describing it as a significant long-term threat that could fuel recruitment into extremist activities.
The former president further criticized Nigeria’s response to the recent coup in Niger Republic, saying the government’s actions—including border closures, electricity cuts, and financial restrictions—undermined decades of cooperation and strained historical ties between both nations.
Obasanjo maintained that such decisions reflect a lack of strategic understanding, arguing that effective leadership requires foresight and thoughtful engagement rather than reactionary measures.
On domestic governance, he expressed concern over what he described as the erosion of democratic values, warning against the emergence of a one-party state. While acknowledging assurances to the contrary, he said such a system would be harmful to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Addressing economic issues, Obasanjo reiterated his long-standing skepticism about government-run refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), attributing their inefficiency to structural problems, corruption, and poor maintenance. He contrasted this with the success of privately driven initiatives like the Nigeria LNG project.
Despite his criticisms, Obasanjo expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential for recovery, emphasizing that meaningful progress would depend on improved leadership and a renewed commitment to effective governance.
