Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pointed to the principle of regionalism as the core issue hindering Nigeria’s progress, describing it as the root of the country’s challenges. Obasanjo made this statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday during a visit from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s independence in 1960, Obasanjo noted that the same regionalism adopted then continues to persist today, hampering national unity. He emphasized that the focus should not be on where a leader comes from but rather on what they bring to the table in terms of development and governance.
“One of the things that led us to where we are today, and we haven’t gotten out of, is regionalism,” he stated, adding that terms like ‘North’, ‘East’, and ‘West’ frighten him. He suggested that the group rename itself as a national body rather than one defined by region. “Your name would have been ‘National League of Democrats’, instead of ‘Northern League of Democrats’. But you must start somewhere,” Obasanjo advised.
The former President also shared his support for the group’s concern about Nigeria, stressing the importance of collective efforts to correct the nation’s wrongs. “Nigeria is greater than all of us, and we should see it as a holistic entity,” he said. Obasanjo hinted at potentially joining the group if it adopts a national outlook, even offering to serve as its patron.
In response, Shekarau explained that the League of Northern Democrats was formed three months ago, with 400 members united by a shared vision. The group aims to influence political decisions and the process of selecting leaders across Nigeria, particularly focusing on credibility and righteousness in leadership.
“We have analyzed the various challenges facing us as a nation and, particularly as the largest region, we aim to influence certain political decisions,” Shekarau said, listing issues such as insecurity, education, and the unity of the country as areas of concern. He also stressed the importance of improving the democratic process in Nigeria.
