Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how his outspoken nature on national and international issues led to his imprisonment under the military junta of the late Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, in 1995.
Obasanjo also hinted that his quest to save Nigeria from imminent disintegration motivated him to seek the Presidency in 1999.
He shared these insights during an interactive session with 15 young male and female future African leaders from different parts of the continent at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The session was part of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s program, which included the 10 winners of the prestigious and life-changing Future Africa Leaders Awards.
Reflecting on his prison experience, Obasanjo recounted how his inability to remain silent on critical issues led to his incarceration. He said, “I joined the Army and at the age of 42, I finished my career as a military officer. But what could I do? I was still young, energetic, and dynamic. So, I took to agriculture, and during that time, I went into prison, which was not what I really wanted. Going into prison is really a challenge because I refused to keep quiet. For me, if there was anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge. And when I came out from prison, the situation was bad in the country, and some people felt the need to be saved, and pressure started coming.”
Obasanjo also addressed the issue of African debts, lamenting that some of the debts incurred by countries on the continent were due to reckless spending and outright corruption. “Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some are due to outright corruption,” he said.
He commended the participants and organizers, particularly the founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for hosting the 2024 edition of the program.
“What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvelous, and as I said, some people will say it is just a drop in the ocean, but many drops in the ocean make the ocean. I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project and will continue to wish him all the best,” he said.