“Obasanjo: As My Exit Nears, I Want To See Nigeria Succeed”

Obasanjo: I’m in a Hurry to Witness Nigeria’s Rise Before I Depart — According to iReporter Online

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed an urgent desire to see Nigeria attain true greatness within his lifetime, acknowledging that he is “getting close” to his departure lounge in life.

According to iReporter Online, Obasanjo made the remarks during a discussion on his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, in which he assessed the trajectory of the country’s leadership and issued pointed criticisms of past and current administrations.

Reflecting on his decades-long engagement with Nigeria’s governance, Obasanjo insisted that his numerous interventions — through books, open letters, and public speeches — have always been rooted in patriotism, not personal bitterness.

“All my writings have been aimed at making Nigeria better because I strongly believe in documentation and in the possibility of a better Nigeria,” he said.

He pointed to previous works such as My Command, Nzeogwu, Not My Will, and the three-volume My Watch, stating that these publications, along with his letters to leaders in moments of crisis, were written to offer guidance — not condemnation.

Obasanjo acknowledged criticisms from those who accuse him of the very shortcomings he calls out in others but responded firmly:

“I rely on my conscience and my records and have no need to defend myself,” he declared.

According to iReporter Online, the former president did not mince words about the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, which he described as “the worst civil administration so far in Nigeria’s history.”

He accused Buhari of failing to tackle corruption, mismanagement, and electoral malpractice — the very issues Obasanjo cited as justification for the 1983 coup against then-President Shehu Shagari.

“Words are cheap, and what needed to be done was left undone,” he wrote bluntly.

Turning his focus to the current government, Obasanjo said the Bola Tinubu administration is “competing with Buhari’s in inefficiency,” again highlighting ongoing governance failures that, in his view, are stalling Nigeria’s progress.

Still, the elder statesman stood by his legacy of service, citing his sacrifices in war, peacekeeping missions, time in prison, and governance.

“I have seen the best and the worst of Nigeria. Yes, mistakes were made, but great things were also done,” he said.

According to iReporter Online, Obasanjo concluded by reiterating his hope that Nigeria will rise to its full potential sooner rather than later.

“I may be close to my departure, but my desire is to witness the nation attain the greatness it deserves.”

”IREPORTER REPORTS”