Nigerian president came into office without plan, says Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken out against leaders who take office without a concrete plan, calling for a deeper commitment to understanding the nation’s challenges.

In a recent interview with News Central Television, Obasanjo expressed frustration with leaders who fail to grasp the complexities of Nigeria’s issues before taking action.

Obasanjo, a retired general who led Nigeria through both military and democratic administrations, stressed that a president should avoid making uninformed statements on critical issues.

Instead, he argued that effective leadership requires a thorough study and analysis of problems to create sustainable solutions.

To address Nigeria’s unique challenges, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of tailoring solutions to specific issues, urging leaders to approach their roles with a well-prepared and informed mindset.

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“What do you say of a Nigerian president who came to office without a plan and woke up and just said, ‘Three-point plan’? What are the three points, and what are they going to achieve? Who are the people who worked on it?” he asked.

“You come and you just open your mouth and make a pronouncement on something that has not been studied.”

Obasanjo emphasised the need for good governance, adding that “good leadership should be appreciated and used to good advantage”.

“Leadership is not a thing you pick on the road, and not everybody is given it. So, when we identify leadership, we should appreciate it and use it to good advantage,” he added.

“When I talk of leadership, I’m not talking of leadership just at the political level but in all walks of life.

“Wherever we see leadership, whether it is in the private sector or the public sector, we should make use of that good leader to achieve the maximum.

“The point is, unfortunately in Africa generally and in Nigeria particularly, we take two steps forward, take one sideways, and take two or three backward.

“Leadership should be what we pay attention to.”

Obasanjo was military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and civilian president from 1999 to 2007.

(TheCable)