Obasanjo also said most of those ruling the country should either be behind bars or sent to the gallows
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said the country needs leaders with good character and pedigree first before any structural change to its socio-political and economic system can make impact.
He made this known while addressing six lawmakers from the House of Representatives, who paid him a courtesy visit.
The lawmakers’ entourage 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.
Obasanjo while expressing disapproval at the current state of the country, said that the majority of its leaders should be behind bars or gallows instead of public offices.
He further asserted that until leaders changed their mentality, the country would never see the change it desired.
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Speaking during the visit, Obasanjo said,
“Our main problem is ourselves and until we take care of ourselves, we may have one term of four years, one term of six years, one term of seven years, if it’s the same people and same mentality and way we do things, then it won’t change.
“Yes system, yes democracy, we have to rethink democracy, we have to rethink the form of government, but what is the character of the people in government?
“With all due respect, most of them should be behind bars, some should even be in the gallows and that is the truth.
“Now if these are the people that are ruling us, then what do you expect? So, the point is the character of the people that are coming to the government. Their attributes, the sort of people they truly are.
“We need to really think about how we select leaders, what should be the character of a leader we select? What should be their track record?
“Where should we find them? Are they role models? And I think those are the first things we have to think about.”