Obasanjo Reacts To Calls For Service Chiefs Sack, Says Nigeria’s Challenges Taking New Dimension

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated the need for
stronger synergy between the leadership and the citizens in
addressing the multiple challenges currently besetting the country,
saying it has become evident that the government cannot do it
alone.

Obasanjo spoke on Thursday during a condolence visit to the Oyo
State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on the passage of his mother,
Abigail.

The elder statesman, who also listed insecurity, economic
instability, and poor governance as major challenges, urged the
citizens to be resolute and proactive in addressing the logjam.

The former President, who was in Ibadan to grace the book launch
in honour of late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, a former Peoples Democratic
Party chieftain, said he would continue to keep abreast of
developments in the state.

He said, “There are many challenges in Nigeria today. There are
challenges of insecurity, economy and political instability, among
others. These challenges are not new, except that they have taken a
different dimension.

“I believe that the most important aspect of dealing with all
the challenges we have is leadership, and the people must come
together. But then, there must be leadership to get everybody to
work.”

On the increasing call for the sacking of security chiefs in a
bid to address the problem of insecurity, he said, “I did not
appoint security chiefs, how can I ask that they be sacked? If I
have a piece of fatherly advice for the security chiefs, I will not
give it through the media.”

Earlier, Makinde had lauded Obasanjo for his passion for
national development, especially in areas of agriculture, security,
education, and health.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated the need for
stronger synergy between the leadership and the citizens in
addressing the multiple challenges currently besetting the country,
saying it has become evident that the government cannot do it
alone.

Obasanjo spoke on Thursday during a condolence visit to the Oyo
State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on the passage of his mother,
Abigail.

The elder statesman, who also listed insecurity, economic
instability, and poor governance as major challenges, urged the
citizens to be resolute and proactive in addressing the logjam.

The former President, who was in Ibadan to grace the book launch
in honour of late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, a former Peoples Democratic
Party chieftain, said he would continue to keep abreast of
developments in the state.

He said, “There are many challenges in Nigeria today. There are
challenges of insecurity, economy and political instability, among
others. These challenges are not new, except that they have taken a
different dimension.

“I believe that the most important aspect of dealing with all
the challenges we have is leadership, and the people must come
together. But then, there must be leadership to get everybody to
work.”

On the increasing call for the sacking of security chiefs in a
bid to address the problem of insecurity, he said, “I did not
appoint security chiefs, how can I ask that they be sacked? If I
have a piece of fatherly advice for the security chiefs, I will not
give it through the media.”

Earlier, Makinde had lauded Obasanjo for his passion for
national development, especially in areas of agriculture, security,
education, and health.