Nigerian former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, October 22, said he would rather belong to Niger than a member of the Oodua Republic.
The outspoken former two times ruler of the country stated this amidst growing agitation for the creation of the Yoruba Oodua Republic.
Recall that Obasanjo ruled Nigeria as military Head of State 1977 to 1979 and civilian President, 1999 to 2023.
The former leader disclosed this while receiving a delegation of the League of Northern Democrats led by a former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
Addressing the delegates at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo identified the defects in regionalism.
He noted that the regionalism practiced before the attainment of independence in 1960 wat as the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion.
Obasanjo, therefore, advocated for merit, capacity and ability to deliver as some of the factors that must be considered in electing or appointing leaders in the country.
He stressed that this is the panacea against the question of which geopolitical zone should produce who or what.
“It is high time we began working for the national interest. Yes, you have identified your group as the 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 being a Nigerian. It will be great to be a Nigerian than to be 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 African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up to 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 admonished the group.
The former President, however, expressed optimism that the present situation is not beyond salvaging. This, he said, is as long as everyone is ready to come together and work as a united nation.
Obasanjo stated that he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist. A patriotic and nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.
source: Daily Trust
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