Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a damning assessment of Nigeria’s political class, warning that corrupt leaders cannot provide good governance.
He described such leaders as “thieves” who should be jailed for their misconduct.
Obasanjo’s remarks were made during a virtual speech at the memorial lecture for Denis Joseph Slattery, an Irish-born missionary, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The memorial lecture was organised by the Old Boys’ Association of St. Finbarr’s College.
It was in honour of the late Slattery, who arrived in Nigeria in 1941 and left a lasting legacy through his work in education and sports.
Obasanjo used the opportunity to call for moral rectitude in governance, stressing that accountability must be the bedrock of leadership in Nigeria.
He minced no words in addressing the issue of corruption.
He explained that corrupt politicians cannot offer the kind of governance that benefits the people.
“You cannot expect thieves to give good judgment in favour of the owner of the property,” he said.
He added that many individuals currently holding positions of power at both the executive and legislative levels are unfit to govern.
“If you look clinically at the people in government today, some of them should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanour and criminal misconduct,” he declared.
The 87-year-old statesman, who has served as both Nigeria’s military Head of State and civilian President, has been vocal about the issue of corruption throughout his political career.
In his speech, he did not hesitate to criticise the deeply entrenched culture of corruption in Nigerian politics.
Obasanjo recalled his own shocking encounters with corruption, particularly when he first ventured into politics.
“The first thing that shocked me when I went into politics was the level of corruption of election officials which was taken as normal,” he said.
He lamented the widespread acceptance of criminal behaviour within the political system, describing how he once confronted a government official for lying at a meeting, only to be told, “It is all politics, Sir.”
For Obasanjo, this encapsulated a larger problem – that politics in Nigeria has become a shield for immoral conduct.
“Every bad thing they do is passed on as politics, which means politics has no room for morality, principles, rectitude, ethics, good character, and attributes,” he added.
Obasanjo did not stop at criticising the status quo.
He called for a change in leadership values, advocating for what he described as “transformational leaders” over “transactional leaders.”
According to him, the country needs leaders who prioritise truth over lies, honesty over dishonesty, and hope over despair.
“Nigeria needs transformational leaders rather than transactional leaders, truth instead of lies, honesty instead of dishonesty, integrity instead of disintegrity, hope instead of despair, production instead of deduction, inclusion instead of exclusion and marginalisation,” he stated.
The memorial lecture was also an occasion to reflect on the life and legacy of Denis Joseph Slattery.
Slattery, who arrived in Nigeria as a missionary in 1941, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s education system.
After his arrival, he was posted to St. Gregory’s College in Obalende, Lagos, where he served as a teacher and games master.
In 1956, he founded St. Finbarr’s College, a school that has since produced many notable Nigerian figures.
Slattery was not just an educator but also a key figure in Nigerian sports and journalism.
He served as the pioneer chairman of the Nigerian Football Association and was one of the founding members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In recognition of his contributions to Nigeria, Obasanjo, during his presidency, honoured him with the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2001.
Slattery passed away in July 2003, but his legacy continues to be celebrated by many.
Obasanjo’s speech came against the backdrop of increasing public frustration with Nigeria’s governance.
Many Nigerians have grown disillusioned with the country’s political leaders, whom they perceive as corrupt and disconnected from the needs of the people.
The former president’s call for accountability and integrity resonated with the audience, as it reflects the widespread desire for change in the nation’s leadership.
Several notable individuals attended the memorial lecture, including Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State; Segun Odegbami, a former Nigerian footballer; ID Cabasa, a renowned music producer; and Patrick Doyle, a respected actor.
These figures, like many others, were deeply influenced by Slattery’s work, and they took the occasion to pay tribute to his memory.
Obasanjo’s criticism of corrupt politicians is not new.
Throughout his years in public service, he has consistently spoken out against corruption, which he views as one of the greatest challenges facing Nigeria.
During his presidency, he made efforts to tackle corruption through various initiatives, including the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003.
However, corruption remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria today.
The former president’s latest comments are likely to spark further debate on the state of governance in Nigeria.
With the 2023 general elections approaching, there is renewed interest in the character and integrity of those vying for political office.
Many Nigerians are looking for leaders who will prioritise the welfare of the people and lead with transparency and accountability.
Obasanjo’s speech is a reminder that the country cannot move forward unless its leaders are held to a higher moral standard.
“The most important demand of anybody involved in governance at any level is accountability,” he reiterated during his address.
