Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Nigerian government to heed the demands of citizens protesting against economic hardship.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Obasanjo emphasized the legitimacy of the protests and warned of potential unrest if the concerns of the youth are not addressed.
He also highlighted the need for a change in the mentality of public office holders, rather than focusing solely on term limits.
“You are what you are today because you’re a Nigerian,” Obasanjo said.
“I am what I am also because I am Nigerian. So why should they be Nigerians and be languishing in poverty? Like I have warned earlier, we should know that we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder if we fail to begin to do the right thing.
“For instance, what the youth are demanding is very legitimate and should be listened to, or why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them?
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“They make demands, and we are not listening to them. Many of them are frustrated, desperate, angry, and unemployed. What do we expect? They deserve to be given listening ears.”
“The issue is not whether Nigeria should adopt a single six-year term or maintain the status quo,” Obasanjo said.
“If the mentality of the people in governance does not change, then Nigeria will remain where it is. For me, the issue is for us to get it right. Whether we have one term of six years or two terms of four years, where it’ll work is our mentality.”
Regarding governance, Obasanjo argued that the focus should be on changing the mentality of public office holders rather than merely adjusting term limits. He noted that without this change in attitude, Nigeria’s situation would remain unchanged, regardless of whether a single six-year term or the current two-term system is adopted.
The comments were made during a visit by members of the House of Representatives, led by Ugochinyere Ikenga, who are co-sponsoring bills to establish a single six-year term for the president and governors, ensure power rotation between the northern and southern regions, and synchronize all elections in the country on a single day.