Obasanjo blames pre-Independence regionalism for Nigeria’s disunity

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, lamented disunity in the country, adding that the flaw has hindered it from achieving greatness.

The former president said despite the uninspiring situation of things in the country, he remains an incurable optimist about things turning around for good for the country, “as long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistake of the past.”

The former President blamed regionalism as practised before obtaining Independence in October 1960 as the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion, adding that “the truth is that at Independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders and so it is a situation of three countries in one ever since.”

Obasanjo disclosed this when he received the 20-member delegation of League of Northern Democrats, led by the former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, at his penthouse, inside Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

The former President said the question of where you come from in appointing leaders should not be a problem, but what should be of paramount interest is the merit, capacity and ability to deliver on what will move the nation forward.

He said, “It is high time we began working for the national interest.”

Obasanjo said “Yes, you have identified your group as League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats, because where you come from should not be a problem.

“Where I was born should not be the enemy of my ‘Nigerianess’. I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.

“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba…we must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together.”

The former President lamented Nigeria’s current situation, saying the country had disappointed the black race and the world at large.

“The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up unto us. When we got our Independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun but is that the situation today?

“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large.

“So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love but it is not too late to retrace our steps.

“We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria.”

Obasanjo added that he shared the concerns of the group for the poor state of things in the country but added that the situation was not beyond being salvaged.

He noted that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.

He urged the League of Northern Democrats to consider changing their name to the National League of Democrats because the ideals the group espoused were what cut across the nation.

He said he would not mind being their patron if he could not be an active member due to old age.

Speaking earlier, Shekarau said the creation of the non-partisan group about three months ago was to rally good governance and oneness of the country.

The former governor said the group was concerned about the issues of unity, youthful exuberance and employment, issues of education, good governance, credible people in government, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the country.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that registered 93 million voters in the country could not elect the ruling class members who he said were not more than 11,000.

“From all the 36 governors and their deputies, the President and the Vice President, the 469 lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate, the councillors and the local government chairmen, all of them are just a little over 11,000, yet the 93 million registered voters in the country cannot look around and elect credible leaders.

“So, all of these we hope to address with our advocacy as a group,” he said.

The former governor also said that just like the former President had advised, the name of the group after due consultation would be made national to give everyone a sense of belonging.