Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over growing discontent among Nigerian youths due to prolonged maladministration, warning that if urgent measures are not taken, a revolution fueled by hunger, anger, and frustration may be inevitable.
In his newly released book, “Nigeria: Past and Future,” Obasanjo criticized the country’s leadership for large-scale corruption, mismanagement of resources, and insensitivity to the plight of the people.
“We are currently sitting on a ticking time bomb due to the system we practise, how corruptly we practise it, and how exclusively we practise it with impunity, callousness, and total disregard for integrity and accountability,” he wrote.
Obasanjo lamented that Nigerian youths are disappointed, bitter, unemployed, and unempowered, watching as their leaders live in opulence while failing to invest in job creation.
He warned that if the government continues on its current trajectory, it risks pushing young people to a breaking point that could lead to widespread unrest. Citing former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, he stated:
“Those who make peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable.”
However, he clarified that he is not calling for violent change but rather urging the government to embrace reforms before they are forced upon it.
Criticism of Traditional Rulers and Military Failures
Obasanjo also criticized the deterioration of traditional institutions, stating that many traditional rulers have lost their dignity and have been involved in criminal activities.
“There are criminals, drug addicts, bandits, and kidnappers among traditional rulers today,” he noted, calling for moral reformation within the institution.
On security issues, Obasanjo compared Nigeria’s prolonged fight against Boko Haram to the 30-month civil war, arguing that military efforts have been hampered by corruption and poor-quality equipment.
He alleged that past governments, including that of Muhammadu Buhari, selectively targeted criminal groups, allowing some to operate freely while cracking down on others.
“The greatest undermining of peace and security from the highest level is when military orders are selective,” he stated, referencing concerns raised by Gen. T.Y. Danjuma about military bias in handling security threats.
Obasanjo called for better training, intelligence acquisition, and high-quality equipment to enable the military to combat insurgency effectively.
Despite repeated attempts, Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, and a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu declined to comment on the former president’s claims.
