Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed regionalism for Nigeria’s persistent challenges, identifying it as a key factor hindering the nation’s progress. Speaking in Abeokuta on October 22 during a visit from the League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Obasanjo emphasized that regional divisions adopted during independence in 1960 have stunted national unity and development.
He stressed that a leader’s origin should not matter, but rather their contributions to national progress. “Where a leader hails from does not matter. Rather, what he brings to the table in terms of development and governance should matter,” Obasanjo remarked.
Obasanjo further advised the group to adopt a more inclusive approach by renaming themselves the “National League of Democrats,” and moving away from a regionally focused identity. He expressed concern that regional divisions, whether from the North, East, or West, continue to fuel Nigeria’s problems.
“Regionalism is one of the things that led us to where we are today, and we haven’t gotten out of it,” Obasanjo noted, urging the group to address national issues with a more unified, national perspective.
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