Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the Federal Government to listen to the demands of the youths, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this call while receiving six members of the House of Representatives, at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, on Friday.
He noted that the country will not progress towards achieving its goals unless both leaders and citizens embrace what he described as “moral rearmament.”
Obasanjo warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that could explode if the nation fails to take courageous and decisive steps to address its numerous challenges.
He stated that the demands of #EndBadGovernance protesters are very legitimate, adding that the government should heed the people’s grievances and cease pretending that all is well.
He further lamented that succeeding governments have failed to build on the foundation he established, resulting in significant setbacks for the country.
“As I have warned earlier, we should recognise that we are all sitting on a powder keg if we fail to begin doing the right thing. For instance, what the youth are demanding is very legitimate and should be listened to. Why should they be denied what rightfully belongs to them?
“They are frustrated, they are hungry, they are angry, they are unemployed, and they deserve to be heard.
“More than anything else, such as changing our system of government or adopting a single term of six or four years, we must change our ways of doing things. We must reform our thinking and character.
“I wish that succeeding governments had built upon the foundation we laid, even if not as quickly as hoped, but sadly, the blocks we put in place are being removed.
“What I know about Nigeria is that if we get it right — both leadership and team — because one tree does not make a forest, you need a good leader but also a good team for a well-done job.
“If we get it right in about two and a half years, we could overcome some challenges, and in about ten years, we would have a solid foundation. In about 25 years, we could be there.
“But we always take one step forward, two steps aside, and four steps backward, which is why we are where we are.
“For me, it is not just about the system; we may need to rethink our liberal democracy. In Africa, we often talk about loyal opposition, but what we do is reach a consensus, and then there is no opposition; everyone is on the same page and moves together,” he stated.
