Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written a new book, and as usual, he did not hold back in calling out the current president. In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, he called the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project a wasteful, corrupt mess. He also queried the Tinubu administration’s decision to spend ₦21 billion on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing it as a complete waste of public funds.
According to OBJ, the last two years under Tinubu have been the same old system of as short-changing 230 million Nigerians while leaders continue their “It’s my turn to chop” agenda. And when he says leaders, he means everyone—governors, presidents, ministers, local government chairmen. He described them as “ill-prepared, satanic, and self-centered”, more focused on enriching themselves and their friends than actually fixing the country.
He didn’t stop there. He took a swipe at politicians who take loans running into billions before elections, knowing fully well they’ll pay back with public money once they get into office. He even gave an example of a governor who owed banks billions before assuming office but somehow cleared his debts within two years—without his company doing any business. Where did the money come from? That’s for you to guess.
He also threw jabs at leaders who lie, cover up scandals, and push shady deals without thinking of the long-term effects. Exhibit A? The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, which has faced heavy criticism but still moves forward like nothing is happening. Exhibit B? The VP’s extravagant new residence at a time when the country is in an economic chokehold. What small minds!, he called them.
As for solutions, OBJ believes it’s time to rethink Western democracy because, clearly, it’s not working for Nigeria. Instead, he’s proposing Afrodemocracy—a system tailored to Africa’s history, culture, and unique realities. Whatever that means, one thing is clear: Obasanjo has spoken, and as usual, Nigeria’s leaders will probably pretend not to hear.
