Details of Obasanjo’s Closed-Door Meeting with Ugochinyere, 6 Other NASS Members Emerge

In a closed-door meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, former President Olusegun Obasanjo met with Ugochinyere Ikenga and six other members of the National Assembly to discuss pressing national issues and potential constitutional reforms. The meeting, which took place on Friday, has drawn significant attention due to the serious warnings and proposals that emerged.

The legislators who attended the meeting included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Dr. Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi, and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo. The group is known for co-sponsoring bills aimed at amending the Nigerian Constitution, specifically proposing a single six-year presidential term, the rotation of the presidency between the North and South, and the rotation of governorship positions among the three senatorial districts in each of the 36 states.

During the discussion, Obasanjo expressed deep concerns about the state of the nation, emphasizing that Nigeria is at a critical juncture. He warned that the country is sitting on a “keg of gunpowder” that could erupt if leaders do not take immediate and decisive action to address the nation’s numerous challenges. According to Obasanjo, the nation’s progress has been hindered by a pattern of inconsistent development, which he described as “two steps forward, one step aside, and four steps backward.”

Obasanjo also addressed the demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters, characterizing their grievances as legitimate and urging the government to listen to the youth. He highlighted the growing frustration, hunger, anger, and unemployment among young Nigerians, stressing that their voices must be heard to avoid further unrest.

The former president also reflected on his time in office, lamenting that successive governments have failed to build on the foundation he claims to have laid, resulting in significant setbacks for the country. He argued that while constitutional reforms, such as the proposed single-term presidency, might be necessary, they alone are insufficient. Obasanjo called for a more profound transformation in the mentality and character of those in power, asserting that without this change, Nigeria will continue to face severe challenges.

Obasanjo emphasized the need for both good leadership and a capable team, stating that if Nigeria gets it right, significant progress could be made within a decade. However, he warned that the lack of true opposition in African politics and the tendency to view political rivals as enemies only hinders progress.

In a candid critique, Obasanjo concluded by stating that the real issue lies within the character of those in government, suggesting that many current officials should be held accountable for their actions.