Corrupt politicians cannot deliver good governance, says Obasanjo
- He recalled confronting a colleague who lied during a meeting, only for the man to dismiss it as “all politics”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that corrupt politicians are incapable of providing good governance.
Speaking virtually at the Denis Joseph Slattery memorial lecture in Lagos, Obasanjo condemned political leaders with questionable integrity, referring to them as “thieves” and asserting they should be jailed for their misconduct.
The memorial lecture, organised by the Old Boys’ Association of St. Finbarr’s College, honoured the late Irish-born missionary who arrived in Ilawe-Ekiti, Nigeria, in 1941.
Obasanjo emphasised that accountability is the most crucial requirement for anyone in governance. “You cannot expect thieves to give good judgement in favour of the owner of the property,” he said, adding that officials lacking integrity cannot make just decisions for the greater good.
Reflecting on his own experiences, the 87-year-old former president shared his shock at the normalisation of corruption within politics, including election officials’ misconduct. He recalled confronting a colleague who lied during a meeting, only for the man to dismiss it as “all politics.”
Obasanjo called for Nigeria to prioritise transformational leaders over transactional ones, promoting values such as honesty, integrity, and inclusivity over dishonesty, marginalisation, and corruption.
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