Obasanjo rejects secession, calls for unity, merit-based leadership

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has firmly rejected the idea of joining an Oodua Republic, asserting his commitment to a unified Nigeria.

Speaking at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state, while hosting a delegation from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of national unity over regionalism.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, comes amid growing secessionist movements in the south-east and south-west.

Obasanjo highlighted that the pre-independence regionalism practised in Nigeria was a key factor behind the country’s long-standing disunity, and argued that leadership positions should be based on merit, competence, and capability, not regional or ethnic considerations.

“It’s time we start prioritizing the national interest,” Obasanjo urged. “Though you call yourselves the League of Northern Democrats, I wish you could be known as the National League of Democrats, because where someone comes from should not be an issue.”

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Obasanjo further expressed his pride in his Yoruba heritage, but made it clear that he identifies first as a Nigerian. “I am proud to be a Yoruba, but that does not conflict with being a Nigerian. It’s far greater to be part of a united Nigeria than to belong to an Oodua Republic,” he said. “We must focus on getting the right people for leadership, regardless of their background.”

The former president lamented Nigeria’s failure to fulfill its early potential on the global stage, recalling that the country was once regarded as the “giant in the sun” following its independence.

“We have let ourselves down, as well as the African continent and the entire black race,” he said. “But it’s not too late to correct our course. We must leave the past behind and work towards Nigeria’s greatness.”

Obasanjo’s call for unity and a merit-based system comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with political divisions and regional tensions, with many looking to the country’s leadership to bridge these divides and restore national pride.