Rita Odafe
Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria, has criticized regionalism as a major factor contributing to the country’s persistent issues.
He emphasized that the origin of a leader is not significant, as long as they possess the skills necessary for effective governance.
During a meeting on October 22 in Abeokuta with the League of Northern Democrats, Obasanjo expressed concern that the regionalism embraced since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 is a significant obstacle to the nation’s advancement.
Speaking to the delegation led by ex-Kano State governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Obasanjo pointed out that the focus should be on leaders’ abilities and their impact on national growth instead of their geographic roots.
Obasanjo stated, “A leader’s background is irrelevant. What should count is their ability to contribute to development and governance.”
Furthermore, he encouraged the group to consider adopting a more inclusive label, proposing the title “National League of Democrats” instead of one limited to regional interests. He believes that Nigeria’s emphasis on regional identities—be it North, East, or West—has only exacerbated the nation’s challenges.
“When I hear terms like ‘North’, ‘East’, or ‘West’, it sends a shiver down my spine because it’s part of what keeps us trapped in our current difficulties,” Obasanjo remarked.
While recognizing the organization’s worries regarding Nigeria’s political climate, he reiterated the necessity of addressing these issues from a national perspective.
