Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, labeling the country’s status as a “failing state” marked by pervasive corruption and leadership failure.
Obasanjo made these remarks during his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
In a statement released by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo referred to President Tinubu with the epithets “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” a term popularized during Tinubu’s election campaign, to underscore what he views as lackluster leadership. He stated that the nation’s dire situation is evident to “every honest person.”
Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria”, Obasanjo warned that the nation is sinking deeper into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment. He attributed these issues to widespread corruption, mediocrity, and a lack of accountability.
“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said. “The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated for all to see.”
Drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe’s 1983 treatise “The Trouble with Nigeria”, Obasanjo reiterated that the nation’s challenges stem from a failure of leadership. He dismissed notions that cultural or environmental factors are to blame, emphasizing instead the inability of leaders to rise to the occasion.
Obasanjo also accused political elites of engaging in state capture, a form of corruption where powerful groups manipulate national policies, laws, and resources for personal gain. He highlighted the sale of national assets at undervalued prices and the undue influence of interest groups in shaping Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.
“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo explained. “What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”
The former president criticized the intertwining of business and political elites through family ties, lobbying, and vote-buying, which he argued prioritizes private gain over public welfare. He warned of the long-term implications on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.
On a hopeful note, Obasanjo maintained that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, provided the nation’s leadership embraces accountability and reforms.
In honoring Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo praised the late literary icon for his lasting contributions to Nigerian society, describing him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”
The speech has sparked debate about Nigeria’s current trajectory and the responsibility of its leaders to address deep-seated challenges.
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