Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made it clear that no ethnic group should be penalized for separatist aspirations, he argued that every region in Nigeria had considered seceding at some point.
He addressed on Tuesday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to members of the League of Northern Democrats, which is led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
According to Obasanjo:
“I think all of us in Nigeria have to rethink. It bleeds my heart when people say because the Igbos had carried out secession, an Igbo man cannot be the president of Nigeria. I say what nonsense? There is no section of Nigeria that has not planned secession.”
The former president contended that regionalism is the fundamental problem ailing Nigeria, pointing out that it has widened the split among Nigerians and slowed the country’s growth.
Obasanjo went on to criticize the emphasis on regional leadership, urging a shift in thinking toward national unity.
He said:
“One of the things I always question myself about is, why should my being a proud Yoruba man be in the way of my being a Nigerian? I could have been born in Sokoto or Maiduguri, and I would still be a Nigerian. My being Yoruba should not be an enemy of my being Nigerian.”
Also Read:
PDP announces new date for NEC meeting amid internal crisis
Court refuses to bar PDP from postponing October 24 NEC meeting in Abuja
Insecurity: Don’t instill fear in Nigerians – Defence Minister, Badaru warns mischief-makers
cc: Daily Post Ng
