Obasanjo says ‘won’t support [another] military coup’ in Nigeria
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was once military Head of State for three years, has reiterated his opposition to another military coup in Nigeria, despite bad civilian governance that has entrenched mind boggling corruption that cripples social and economic development.
But he warned conditions that encourage coups in Nigeria and other African countries should be avoided and democratic principles practised.
Obasanjo, who ruled by military fiat between 1976 and 1979 – and handed over to a civilian administration – was baring his mind to youths at the ‘Africa for Africa Youth Initiative’ (A4A) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.
In his view, the rising number of military juntas in Africa shows the people are tired of some things in their countries and in need of a liberator.
He insisted he would not support a coup considering his experience at the hands of the late military dictator, Sanni Abacha.
Obasanjo urged African governments to ensure their policies do not push the youth to the point of preferring military takeover.
“Having suffered at the hands of Abacha, I won’t support a military coup. But if it has to come, what can we do?” he wondered.
“The point is this, do we have conditions that encourage the type of things that are happening; if we don’t have the conditions that encourage them, they may not happen.
“That does not mean it should be encouraged. What it means is that we should make sure that we do everything to prevent coups from happening.”
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Youths looking for liberators
“When you see things that happen in many countries, and I will not exclude Nigeria, then you wonder, and don’t forget, don’t forget particularly the youth, they support most of these coups,” Obasanjo added, per reporting by Vanguard.
“The one in Gabon, the coup leader was being carried on the head by the youth, not by old wretched men and women like me, but by youths.
“The youth are looking for liberators, and we must bear that in mind. Why do we have to allow the youth to start looking for liberators beyond the government of the day? Why?”
Obasanjo implored African leaders with a sit-tight mentality to have a change of heart, adding democracy that works for everyone should be encouraged.
“And if you have been in government for 40 years and you are not tired, maybe you need retirement.
“One, let me make it clear, I don’t support a coup because personally, I have been a victim of a coup. Two, the good thing about democracy, if it works and delivers, is that you can sit down and dialogue and debate and discuss.
“But your democracy must take integrity along with it. Your democracy must take honesty along with it. Your democracy must take character along with it. Your democracy must take those attributes, God-given attributes, inclusive society, no marginalisation, no exclusion, no favouritism.”
Obasanjo called on African youths to wake up and take leadership positions because the tomorrow they are waiting for may never come.
Henry Akasisli, Director of Africa for Africa Youth Initiative, disclosed their visit has rekindled their passion and drive to take the African continent to the next level.
“Our visit to former President Obasanjo has been a major eye opener, we have seen things. It is re-awakening,” Akasisli said.
“Africa has a lot of resources, Africa has the brain, Africa is filled and full of intelligent minds, gone are the days when there was brain drain, but not of the young people that we have now, they know better.”
