Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday said he is better off as a Nigerian than a member of the Oodua Republic.
He spoke amid the growing agitation for the creation of the Yoruba nation.
Obasanjo, while receiving a delegation of the League of Northern Democrats led by a former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, identified regionalism practised before the attainment of independence in 1960 as the foundation of the country’s prolonged lack of cohesion.
He advocated merit, capacity and ability to deliver as some of the factors that must be considered in electing or appointing leaders, against the question of which geopolitical zone should produce who or what.
He said: “It is high time we began working for the national interest. Yes, you have identified your group as the League of Northern Democrats but how I wish you call your group National League of Democrats, because where you come from should not be a problem.
Where I was born should not be the enemy of my being a Nigerian. It will be great to be a Nigerian than to be a member of the Republic of Oodua.
“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba, but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba. We must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together.
“The African continent, the black race and the entire world are looking up to us. When we got our independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun but is that the situation today?
“We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa and the world at large. So, our concern is right, we have rubbished the value of integrity, no truth, no love but it is not too late to retrace our steps. We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria.”
On the state of the nation, he expressed optimism that the present situation is not beyond salvaging, as long as everyone is ready to come together and work as a united nation.
Obasanjo said he would forever remain a Pan-Africanist, a patriotic and nationalistic Nigerian and a proud black man from the black race.
Speaking, Shekarau emphasised the urgent need for unity, credible leadership and righteousness in Nigerians politics.
“This group, made up of ladies and gentlemen from all walks of life, emerged approximately three months ago,” Shekarau said, noting that the formation followed extensive consultations and discussions.
He highlighted that the group’s goal is to contribute to the nation’s development, not just within the northern region but across the entire federation.
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