Obasanjo’s Bold Revelation: Speaking Up Led To My Detention

Obasanjo’s Bold Revelation: Speaking Up Led To My Detention

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed on Friday that his outspoken nature on both national and global issues resulted in his imprisonment during the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha in 1995. Speaking…Obasanjo’s Bold Revelation: Speaking Up Led To My Detention

at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) during an interactive session with 15 young leaders from various African nations, he shared that his desire to prevent Nigeria’s collapse was the driving force behind his presidential campaign in 1999. Before pursuing public office, he transitioned to agriculture at the age of 42 after his military career.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo urged the youth to take on constructive leadership roles across the continent. He recounted his prison experience as a significant challenge in his life, stemming from his commitment to voicing his opinions.

“I joined the Army, and after retiring at 42, I found myself with a wealth of energy and aspirations. I turned to agriculture, but my political activism led to my imprisonment, a challenge I faced due to my unwillingness to remain silent on critical issues,” he explained. “Upon my release, I encountered a dire situation in the country which prompted calls for intervention.”

Addressing a question about Africa’s mounting debt, Obasanjo lamented that some countries within the continent have incurred debts that stem from reckless borrowing and outright corruption. “Much of the debt cannot be justified, with specific cases of blatant corruption,” he noted, referencing a particular instance where a loan for a carpet factory was repaid despite the site never being cleared for construction.

Obasanjo’s reflections underscore the vital role of engagement and integrity in leadership, particularly in addressing pressing challenges faced by the African continent.

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