Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointed to regionalism as the root cause of Nigeria’s problems, urging the nation to move past divisive politics and focus on unity.
He made this statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a meeting with the League of Northern Democrats. Obasanjo expressed his deep concerns about the continued influence of regional politics in Nigeria, noting that this has been a major issue since the country’s independence in 1960.
Obasanjo described regionalism as one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, stating that the principle, which was introduced at the time of independence, has done more harm than good to the country.
“Whenever I hear ‘North,’ ‘East,’ or ‘West,’ I get frightened,” he said.
According to the former president, the focus on where a leader comes from has taken priority over what they can actually offer in terms of development and governance. This, he explained, has hindered Nigeria’s progress as a unified nation.
He urged Nigerians to focus on competence and vision in leadership rather than regional or ethnic affiliations. “Where a leader hails from does not matter. Rather, what he brings to the table in terms of development and governance should matter,” he added.
The League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, had come to seek advice and guidance from Obasanjo on how to improve political leadership in Nigeria.
However, Obasanjo criticized the group’s name, advising them to adopt a more national identity rather than a regional one. “Your name would have been ‘National League of Democrats’ instead of ‘Northern League of Democrats,’” he said.
He added that while the group had the right to be concerned about Nigeria’s issues, it should work towards a vision of the nation as a whole rather than focusing on regional interests.
Obasanjo’s comments reflect his long-standing position on the importance of national unity. He has consistently spoken out against any form of division that could threaten Nigeria’s stability.
“Nigeria is greater than all of us, and we should see it as a holistic entity,” he said, underscoring the need for a unified approach to addressing the country’s challenges.
Despite his criticism of regionalism, Obasanjo expressed his willingness to support the League of Northern Democrats if it adopted a national focus. He even humorously suggested that he might consider joining the group as a patron, although he admitted that age might limit his active involvement.
“If you’re a National League, maybe I will join you and even be your patron if I cannot be active because I’m getting old,” he said.
Obasanjo’s willingness to offer his support highlights his belief in the potential for national groups to effect meaningful change, as long as they move beyond regional divisions.
Obasanjo’s concerns about regionalism are deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history. At the time of independence in 1960, the country was divided into regions based on ethnic and geographical lines, including the Northern, Western, and Eastern regions.
While this arrangement was intended to maintain balance among the diverse ethnic groups, it also led to competition for power and resources among the regions. Over the years, regional politics has contributed to tensions, conflicts, and even civil war.
The Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, was largely fueled by regional and ethnic divisions. These issues have continued to resurface in Nigeria’s political landscape, with many leaders often prioritizing regional interests over national unity.
Earlier in the meeting, Ibrahim Shekarau had explained the purpose of the League of Northern Democrats, stating that the group was formed three months ago with the goal of influencing political decisions in Nigeria.
Shekarau, a former Minister of Education, said that the group had identified several challenges facing the country, including insecurity, disunity, youth unrest, and issues in the education sector.
“We have analyzed the various challenges facing us as a nation and particularly as the largest region,” he said, referring to Northern Nigeria. He added that the group seeks to influence the political landscape to ensure credible and righteous leadership in the country.