Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed his imprisonment under the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, in 1995 to his outspoken nature on national and international issues.
Obasanjo, who was accused of involvement in a so-called phantom coup to overthrow Abacha’s regime, was tried by a military tribunal, found guilty, and sentenced.
Reflecting on the ordeal during an interactive session with 15 emerging African leaders at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) over the weekend, he described his incarceration as a consequence of his refusal to remain silent on pressing national matters.
“Going to prison was a challenge because I refused to keep quiet. For me, if there was something worth commenting on, I spoke up, and that led to my imprisonment,” Obasanjo said.
The elder statesman, who had retired from the military at age 42 and ventured into agriculture, revealed that his eventual return to public service was driven by the need to rescue Nigeria from a state of decline. “When I came out of prison, the situation in the country was dire, and some people felt the need for intervention. That pressure led to my decision to run for the presidency in 1999,” he added.
Obasanjo urged the youth participants, representing the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, to embrace leadership roles and contribute to the continent’s development. The delegation, which included winners of the 2024 Future Africa Leaders Awards, engaged with the former president on a variety of issues, including governance and Africa’s mounting debt crisis.
Addressing questions on debt, Obasanjo attributed the growing liabilities of some African countries to “recklessness and outright corruption.”
He cited an example from Nigeria, where a loan for a carpet factory project was repaid despite the site never being cleared.
Commending the Future Africa Leaders Foundation and its founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for hosting the 2024 programme, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders. “You must bear the torch of light and leadership for a better Africa,” he told the participants.
The 2024 Star Prize winner, Julian New Ariori from the Republic of Benin, expressed gratitude on behalf of her co-winners, noting that their visit to the Presidential Library had been enlightening.
Participants from countries including Libya, Morocco, Kenya, South Sudan, and Cameroon joined the event, led by Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe, the Foundation’s Head of Media and Government Relations.
The gathering underscored the critical role of leadership and accountability in shaping Africa’s future, with Obasanjo reiterating his commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders.
