Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his concerns over the degeneration of Nigeria’s traditional institutions, criticizing the rise of criminals, drug addicts, and other unsavory characters occupying royal thrones across the country.
In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, released to mark his 88th birthday, Obasanjo laments the loss of dignity, honor, and distinction that once defined Nigeria’s traditional rulers.
He writes in Chapter 14 of the book, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers.
“How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?”
Obasanjo argues that the noble stature of traditional rulers, once a pillar of Nigerian society, has been “diluted and polluted.”
He insists that the respect and honor associated with the monarchy in the colonial and early post-independence era must be restored.
“That dignity, aura, and respect should be brought back and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness and not a liability,” he says.
The former president also highlights the disillusionment of Nigeria’s youth and warns of a possible violent upheaval if the country continues down its current path of mismanagement and corruption.
He points out that, despite Nigeria’s large and talented young population, widespread frustration over corruption, poor governance, and lack of opportunities has led to growing unrest.
“Current trends on the continent portray a more assertive, younger population, intolerant of abuses of power and in search of the dividends of good governance, such that whether or not we accept it, an inevitable shake-up is in the offing,” Obasanjo warns.
He further cautions that Nigeria is “sitting on a ticking time bomb” due to corruption and misgovernance.
“We are currently sitting on a ticking time bomb partly because of the system we practise, how corruptly we practise it, and how exclusively we practise it with impunity, callousness, brazen outrage, and total disregard for any element of righteousness, integrity, accountability, sensitivity, compassion, inclusiveness, and the fear of God.”
Obasanjo stresses that unless the government meets the demands of its young, disappointed, and angry population, the country faces a bleak future.
He warns, “If the incumbent leaders do not shape up and satisfy the yearnings and demands of their people, especially the youths, who are disappointed, dissatisfied, bitter, hungry, angry, unemployed and unempowered, then the future is indeed very bleak, with no light at the end of the tunnel.”
He also reflects on the broader implications for Africa, saying that the challenges Nigeria faces are not isolated.
“Sadly, for Africa, this grave and worrying concern is not just a Nigerian phenomenon but an entire African malady. It is now in its autumn of incubation, and if it does not receive serious attention, it will metamorphose into a destructive pandemic in its winter and spread across the continent.”
Concluding his remarks, Obasanjo warns against ignoring the clear signs of impending crisis, quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy: “Those who make peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable.”
He emphasizes that although he is not calling for violent change, it may become inevitable if the current trajectory persists.
“Let us set aside lies, illusions, delusions, dishonesty, and scapegoatism. Let us face reality and deal sincerely with ourselves, among ourselves, by ourselves and for ourselves.”
