Most Nigerian leaders should be jailed or hanged – Ex-President Obasanjo

A former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said many Nigerian leaders ought to be behind bars and gallows instead of public offices.

Mr Obasanjo stated this while addressing six members of the House of Representatives who are co-sponsors of bills proposing a single six-year term.

He maintained that in choosing good leaders, characters must be considered and questioned.

He also warned that the country 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.

“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,” he stated.

The lawmakers’ entourage included Abdulmalik Danga from Kogi, Usman Midala from Borno, Matthew Nwogu from Imo, Peter Aniekwe from Anambra, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi, and Ugochinyere Ikenga from Imo.