2023: Obasanjo Reveals There Are Some Aspirants Who Should Be In Jail

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo declared on Saturday that some presidential candidates should be imprisoned.

If the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does its job, certain politicians who want to be president should be imprisoned, according to the elder statesman.

Obasanjo said this while addressing at an international symposium in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, to commemorate his 85th birthday.

2023 Presidency: My Colleagues Should Step Down – Obasanjo

‘Africa Narrative with Nigeria Situation’ was the topic of the event.

He further revealed that, despite receiving presidential contenders at his house, Obasanjo has not backed any of the candidates.

In the general election of 2023, Obasanjo stated that he will not be endorsing a presidential candidate from the south.

Before endorsing a presidential candidate, the former president emphasized that he would take his time and talk with others.

“As the quadrennial madness gathers steam and the runners and riders crisscross the country in the quest for nomination as the party’s flag bearer to the highest office in the land, I read and hear about endorsements and statements in support of candidates that I, frankly, have not made, and the formation of new political parties that I will never be involved in,” Obasanjo said.
I was told that the names of three persons from the south that I am supporting were ascribed to me on social media.

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“My friend, Professor Ango Abdullah, who brought this to my knowledge remarked that he did not believe that I made such a statement because it was out of my character. I have neither named names nor stated my position. In a situation like the one we are in, I will not rush into naming names without necessary consultations and well-defined principles and criteria. We need to be clear about what Nigeria needs today and why Nigeria needs it. Only then can we answer the question of how that will inform us of the criteria and characteristics for determining who.”

He said since democracy started in 1999, elections rather than progress in the country has been going back.

Obasanjo said, “Since 1999, we have changed from one political party or another we have manoeuvred and manipulated to the point that election results are no longer reflections of the will of the people and we seemed to be progressively going back rather than going forward politically, economically and socially.

“We have activities without requiting actions and personnel to move us forward. If we continue in the same pattern of recycling, sweet-word campaigning, manoeuvring without the substance of integrity, honesty, patriotism, commitment, outreach, courage, understanding of what makes a nation and what make for development, we will soon have to say goodbye to Nigeria as a nation.

2023 Presidency: My Colleagues Should Step Down – Obasanjo

“I cast a cursory look at some of the people running around and those for whom people are running around. If EFCC and ICPC will have done their jobs properly and been supported adequately by the judiciary, most of them would be in jail. Any person who has no integrity in small things cannot have integrity in big things.”

He noted that henceforth, presidential aspirants must be x-rayed, profiled and must be educated.

Obasanjo said, “Such a person will have to lead what remains of the nation to courageously continue on the path of nation-building as a national team leader, no matter on what platform he or she assumes leadership. No one can do it alone. We must, however, stop sacrificing character, track records and performance on the altar of ethnic, regional or religious jingoism. As the watchman counts on daybreak, so too do I count on Nigerians and Nigeria to bring forth that person.”

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