Obasanjo: A Government That Can’t Secure Its People Shouldn’t Exist

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria's current leadership and security situation, asserting that any government incapable of guaranteeing the safety of its people forfeits its right to exist. Speaking in an interview, Obasanjo lamented Nigeria's declining influence on the global stage and its mishandling of crucial regional relationships, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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any government that fails to guarantee the security of life and property has no justification to exist

Obasanjo's remarks underscore a deep-seated concern among many Nigerians about the escalating insecurity across the nation. He directly linked the worsening security crisis to poor governance and a historical failure to control arms proliferation since the civil war. The former president also pointed to external factors, such as the influx of mercenaries after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and the political use of armed groups, as contributors to the problem. His warning about the 20 million out-of-school children being a potential recruitment pool for extremist groups highlights a long-term threat that demands urgent attention.

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Nigeria was no longer “at the table” of global decision-making

From a Nigerian perspective, Obasanjo's pronouncements carry significant weight due to his stature as a former head of state and a key figure in the country's democratic transition. His direct criticism of the current administration's handling of both domestic security and foreign policy challenges resonates with a populace increasingly frustrated by the lack of tangible improvements. While Western media might focus on the geopolitical implications of Nigeria's ECOWAS stance or the economic challenges, Obasanjo's emphasis on the fundamental right to security and the link between governance and national existence speaks directly to the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians. His dismissal of the NNPC refineries' potential and the National Council of State meetings as unproductive further signals a profound disillusionment with the current state of affairs and a call for more effective leadership.

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The other day, somebody came to me and said, well, from NIPSS (National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies), they were looking into the causes of insecurity. And I said, what is this about? He said the government has asked them to do this. I said, well, this government, will they have the courage to implement whatever you will get. He said he didn’t know. And I said, look, I came back to this country in 1959 after my military training, initial military training in the UK. You could go anywhere in the North. Anywhere. And what you will get is people being gracious there.