Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has called on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to accept part of the blame for Nigeria’s challenges and apologize to the nation.
Akande made this bold statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday.
His remarks came in response to Obasanjo’s recent lecture at Yale University’s Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, where the former leader described Nigeria as a “failed state” and demanded sweeping reforms of the electoral process.
“President Obasanjo is a statesman, no doubt,” Akande said.
“But as someone who has served three terms in office, he must take responsibility for Nigeria’s current state.”
“Obasanjo Cannot Escape Accountability”
Akande delved into Obasanjo’s extensive time in power, spanning three separate periods: 1976–1979, 1999–2003, and 2003–2007.
“No Nigerian leader has had 11 years in office like him,” Akande stated.
“If he is honest, he should tell Nigerians, ‘I share in the responsibility of where we are today.’”
He accused Obasanjo of being complicit in the systemic corruption and governance failures that continue to hinder Nigeria’s progress.
“It’s under Obasanjo that cash was brought into the National Assembly,” Akande alleged.
He also criticized Obasanjo’s controversial Presidential Library project, which was reportedly funded with donations from state governors and business leaders.
“How can he talk about corruption when his administration set that example?” Akande asked.
“A Legacy of Vendetta”
Akande also accused Obasanjo of harboring a personal grudge against President Bola Tinubu.
He recalled the former president’s refusal to release Lagos State’s local government allocations during Tinubu’s time as governor, despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring the action illegal.
“Obasanjo left office without paying those funds,” Akande said.
He further alleged that Obasanjo orchestrated electoral malpractice in 2003 to weaken political opposition in the South-West, leaving Tinubu as the sole surviving governor from the region.
“There’s clearly a personal vendetta here,” Akande claimed.
“Silence from Other Leaders”
Akande questioned why other former Nigerian leaders, such as Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, have remained silent on national issues.
“They are silent because they don’t want to face what Obasanjo is facing,” he said.
“Obasanjo must own up to his role in Nigeria’s problems. It’s the right thing to do.”
Akande argued that by failing to take responsibility, Obasanjo risks undermining his credibility as a statesman.
“All the issues he points out now—corruption, governance failures—he perpetuated them too during his tenure,” Akande stated.
“A Systemic Crisis”
While Akande criticized political leadership, he also highlighted a broader systemic issue.
“Nigeria’s problems are not just about bad leadership,” he said.
“There is a moral decay in the system, and our leaders come out of that decayed system.”
He called for greater involvement from non-politicians in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“We cannot leave these issues in the hands of politicians alone,” Akande urged.
“They will weaponize them for electoral gains.”
“Obasanjo Owes Nigerians an Apology”
Akande concluded with a strong appeal to Obasanjo.
“If Obasanjo gets on a platform to preach, Nigerians will question his moral standing,” he said.
“The only way forward is for him to apologize and acknowledge his mistakes.”
He insisted that owning up to past errors is the first step toward genuine accountability and national healing.
“Obasanjo must say, ‘I was part of these problems,’” Akande stated.
“This is what Nigerians deserve from a leader who claims to be a patriot.”
