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Nigeria on a keg of gun-powder – Obasanjo *Says, clueless leaders courting implosion
“We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more people into poverty through good policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policy and no policy at all,” were the exact words of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday as he weighed in into the parlous stat of the nation, linking it to the poor quality of leadership in the country over the years.
Obasanjo, in a keynote address at the public presentation of a book titled, Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa, written by Olusegun Aganga, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who had also served as Minister of Finance, on Monday in Abuja, took a critical look at the state of the nation.
Obasanjo, who regretted the rate at which the country’s leaders were pushing many citizens into poverty because of poor implementation of good policies, lamented that over the past 63 years, the country had not lived up to expectations as the much-taunted giant of Africa, thus disappointing the continent and the world, at large.
At the event which held inside the conference room of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, virtually, said: “Even though Nigeria is a potential jewel of Africa, if you want to put it that way, we have never attained that position. Can you reclaim what you have never had or attained?
“Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world. What Segun (Aganga) has tried to identify, itemise and recommend in his book is the way forward. But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.
“We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”
Identifying two major, though interrelated, factors for all-round development, he said: “These are peace and security, which we cannot achieve without justice, equity and inclusive society. And telling ourselves the truth, we have not done well on these scores in the recent past — in the last decade and a half.
“I will also point at the issue of education, where over 20 million children that should be in school are not in school. We do not need an oracle to tell us the consequences of that for tomorrow.”
The former president said skills acquisition, empowerment and employment of the youth seemed to be ignored or not appreciated, adding: “We do not need to look far for the remote causes of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping and other organised crimes.
Commending Aganga for making an impressive contribution to the body of knowledge on Nigeria’s development annals, said: “You are welcome to the League of Authors on Nigeria’s development endeavours. I hope this will not be your last publication.”
Emphasising the need to harness Nigerian talents in the diaspora towards the development of the country, the former President, added: “The point I am making is that we have, both at home and in the diaspora, Nigerians who have attained world and best standard in their character, professions, attributes, performance and reputation in all walks of life. With such men and women, why are we underperforming at home?
“Aganga stands out as one of the best in these categories of best performers – home and away. The publication is a timely and relevant book for Nigeria, coming out of practical experience, exposure, professional understanding and interaction.
“I’m substantial responsibility for drafting Aganga into the noble Project Nigeria, which I did midway into my incarnation as leader of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007. I first met Segun while he was the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs in London, a very important position in the financial world. He was part of the Bank’s delegation that visited me in Abuja between 2004 and 2005 or thereabouts. Both of us connected, quite naturally when he was introduced as Segun.
“But more importantly, because I was highly impressed with his contributions during our discussions, I challenged Segun, who was a diasporan to get more involved, from his base in London, in our nation-building efforts here in Nigeria.
“I am pleased to indicate that my call considerably inspired Segun to establish the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), which was registered in the United Kingdom in 2006. NLI’s mission is to create a growing, global network of credible, accomplished community-spirited Nigerian leaders, committed to taking responsibility for driving positive change in Nigeria and Nigerian communities.
“Because of its lofty objectives, NLI attracted the support of many global and international organisations, including the World Bank, which mandated NLI to replicate the initiative in Rwanda. Our administration also invited NLI to conduct a programme for members of the government in April 2006. This background explains why in 2010, I gently hinted the then President Jonathan of the need for him to appoint Segun as his finance minister. I did not feel let down by Segun’s performance in the two portfolios that were assigned to him. I remain proud of him for his performance.
“Let me make a point here. I always look in and look out for men and women of intelligence, track record of performance, ability, love of Nigeria and humanity and love and fear of God and courage with humility and integrity to serve Nigeria. None of them is perfect nor a saint but all those that I have so recruited, particularly from the diaspora, have performed creditably well in government.
“Segun Aganga is one of them. So are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Lesley Obiora, Akin Adesina, Rilwanu Lukman, and Bayo Ogunlesi. There are others who secured international appointments after their services at the national level under my watch. Among such distinguished ones are Amina Mohammed, Babatunde Osotimehin, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, and Akin Adesina after he had initially been encouraged by me to serve at home.
“Here I have my first minor disagreement with Segun on this book. It is not in terms of the content, which I will come to later, but in terms of the title. Should it be Reclaiming or Claiming the Jewel of Africa? If we have not reached there, which we have not, our first assignment is to reach there. Not long ago, I decided to have on record the experiences of some of the Nigerian ambassadors from independence to date. One of the first set of ambassadors, Ambassador Ogunsulire, during the interview, recollected that at the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly attended by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa for the admission of Nigeria as a member of the United Nations on October 7, 1960, Nigeria was referred to as Giant in the sun.”
The book, which offered a “blueprint for taking Nigeria and Africa from potential to posterity”, was launched by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun at the event, which was graced by many dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who also addressed the gathering virtually; former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Fayemi; former Director General, Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo.
Jonathan, who congratulated Aganga on his effort in writing the book, describing it as a “special one because I know the capacity of the author, who worked closely with me in managing the economy of our country, under our administration, said: “Then, Aganga handled key portfolios in the economic sector, including the finance minister, chairman of the economic management team, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. You could simply describe him as an insider on economic issues, in our administration.
“It is comforting that he has documented his experience in government and his substantial experience in global finance and economic management in this book.
“I am privileged to have seen the book before many of you because Aganga sent me a copy in advance. I will say that the book is a rich resource on development and a pathway to progress, focusing on the solutions Nigeria needs in order to unleash its greatness for the good of our people.
“Dr. Aganga at a point turned me into a marketing manager by travelling with me to at least 40 countries in search of foreign investment. I am glad that the venture and travels, which he captured in one of the chapters in the book, paid off, as our nation then became Africa’s first destination for foreign direct investment and one of the fastest growing economies at that time.
“It is not surprising that the book is already a bestseller, even before it was first publicly presented in London and now here in Nigeria. This is because of the unique character and personality of the author. Dr. Aganga has a great passion and desire for Nigeria and Africa’s development. I believe that for Dr. Aganga to pour that boundless passion into a book is to create a masterpiece. And he has been gracious enough to render it in a simple language that all of us can read and understand. I recommend the book to everyone as an important tool in our march to greatness.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.
Alex Izinyon SAN, leading a team of lawyers of the commission in a notice of appeal dated May 25, raised nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Apart from raising the issue of jurisdiction, which it said the lower court did not determine, INEC also maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
Arguing that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant, the commission also stressed the lower court misinterpreted the provisions of the electoral act.
It said: “The high court erred in law when it held that: ‘It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
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